News List

Compiled features on recent developments in regional cooperation and integration in the SASEC region.

Year:
July 2024

BIMSTEC Lauded as Two-Day Foreign Ministers' Retreat Closes

The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Foreign Ministers' Retreat drew to a close on 11-12 July 2024, as foreign ministers gathered to strengthen cooperation among the BIMSTEC member countries. Mr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, India External Affairs Minister, lauded the retreat, describing it as "productive" and the meetings "highly useful."

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Tags: India, BIMSTEC, Regional Cooperation, Trade, Energy, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand

May 2022

Bhutan, Thailand Agree to Negotiate a Bilateral Trade Agreement

The Governments of Bhutan and Thailand have agreed to sign a bilateral trade agreement during the fourth Joint Trade Committee Meeting. They also agreed to enhance total bilateral trade to $120 million by 2025, and renew the existing MoU on tourism and handicraft cooperation.

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Tags: Bhutan, Thailand, Trade, Agriculture

December 2021

Thailand Transport Ministry Unveils Planned Shipping Routes along East Corridor

The Ministry of Transport of Thailand has released a route map for its national shipping line. The route is part of the country's plan to connect the Southern Economic Corridor with a land bridge linking Chumphon on the eastern coast of the Gulf of Thailand to Ranong on the Andaman Sea, which will serve as a transit port connecting the Pacific and Indian Oceans.

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Tags: Thailand, BIMSTEC, Economic Corridor Development

August 2019

Thailand Port Deal to Boost Trade with Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka

Thailand and India have signed a memorandum of understanding that will promote a new maritime route between Thailand’s Ranong Port and India’s Krishnapatnam Port. The deal is part of Thailand’s policy to strengthen trade with Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka under the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) framework.

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Tags: BIMSTEC, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Trade

September 2018

Ranong Port to be Thailand's Gateway to South Asia

The Government of Thailand aims to increase bilateral trade with India by developing Ranong port. According to Mr. Tharadol Thongruang, Minister Counsellor (Commercial), Office of Commercial Affairs, Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi, India, using Ranong port for trade with India’s Kolkata and Chennai ports will reduce distance between the two countries and boost trade.

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Tags: India, Thailand, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Ports, Shipping, Trade, Connectivity

August 2018

Commentary: Uncorking the Logistic Competencies of India's Northeastern Regions

The author highlights how fast-paced infrastructure development could help unlock competencies of India’s northeast region. With the Government of India's focus on promoting the northeastern region as a key trade gateway, projects such as the 1,400 kilometer India-Myanmar-Thailand highway and the SASEC Road Connectivity project, promises to boost the country's trade and commerce, and enhance India’s logistics capabilities.

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Tags: India, Myanmar, Thailand, SASEC, Road, Logistics

August 2018

Assam Aims for Air Cargo Connectivity with the ASEAN

Mr. Chandra Mohan Patowary, Industries and Commerce Minister of Assam, India, emphasized the State Government's commitment to reopening air cargo trade routes to increase the state's economic prosperity. The Assam government plans to link its largest city, Guwahati, to the seven capital cities of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) under the Regional Connectivity Scheme. He also shared that the Assam Industrial Development Cargo is working on an air cargo terminal project

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Tags: India, ASEAN, Trade, Connectivity, Myanmar, Thailand

May 2018

Planned Multimodal Linkages to Turn Silchar into a Transport Hub

Plans are being drafted to turn Silchar, a city in Assam, India, into a logistics hub. Multimodal transport linkages from Silchar to Myanmar and to Bangladesh are being considered, in line with the Government of India's "Act East" policy. These will decongest Guwahati and place Silchar at the forefront of growing economic relations between India's northeastern states and Bangladesh and the countries in Southeast Asia.

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Tags: India, Act East Policy, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Thailand, Economic Corridor Development

May 2018

BIMSTEC Working Group on Customs Cooperation Holds First Meeting

The BIMSTEC Working Group on Customs Cooperation held its first meeting on 10-11 May 2018 in New Dehi, India. The Meeting discussed progress in customs cooperation among BIMSTEC countries, and finalized the draft text of the 'Agreement on Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters' for the BIMSTEC Free Trade Area.

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Tags: BIMSTEC, Customs, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Trade

April 2018

Bangladesh to Sign Free Trade Agreement with Thailand

The Government of Bangladesh will sign a free trade agreement (FTA) with the Government of Thailand, according to Commerce Minister of the Government of Bangladesh Tofail Ahmed. The FTA promises to boost trade between the two countries, which stands around $2 billion.

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Tags: Bangladesh, Thailand, FTA, Trade, Imports, Exports

April 2018

India Highway Authority Signs Agreement for International Highway Project

The National Highways Authority of India signed on 11 April 2018 an agreement to widen the Yagyi-Kalewa section of the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway. Construction is also underway for the Imphal-Kangchup-Tamenglong road under the SASEC Road Connectivity Investment Program. These projects will improve the flow of vehicular traffic and enhance trade, health services, and tourism in India, Myanmar, and Thailand.

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Tags: India, Myanmar, Thailand, SASEC, Transport, Road

March 2018

Bangladesh, Thailand Discuss Bilateral Cooperation in Shipping, Trade, and Energy

Bangladesh's 'Look East Policy' and Thailand's 'Look West Policy' could be synchronized to create new trade and economic connectivity corridors, according to Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-chaon during a meeting with Bangladesh Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali. They discussed a range of bilateral cooperation, including shipping, trade, energy, and those under BIMSTEC.

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Tags: Bangladesh, Thailand, Shipping, Energy, Trade, Transport

September 2017

Chamber of Commerce Formed to Increase Trade between India and Myanmar

India has formed the India-Myanmar Chamber of Commerce (IMCC) in Yangon to increase trade between the two countries, which currently stands at around $2 billion. IMCC will focus on helping Indian business invest in Myanmar and vice versa.

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Tags: Agriculture, Exports, Imports, India, Infrastructure, Renewable Energy, Small and Medium Enterprises, Thailand, Trade, Transport

April 2017

India Cabinet Approves Signing of BIMSTEC Power Grid Pact

India's Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the ratification of the MOU for the Establishment of the BIMSTEC Grid Interconnection. The MOU is expected to be signed at the next BIMSTEC Energy Minsters' Meeting and provides a broad framework for energy trade among BIMSTEC member countries.

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Tags: BIMSTEC, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Connectivity, Energy, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand

December 2016

India-Myanmar-Thailand Friendship Motor Car Rally Highlights IMT Connectivity

An India-Myanmar-Thailand Friendship Motor Car Rally, beginning in New Delhi, India and culminating in Bangkok, Thailand, has highlighted potential benefits of intra-regional connectivity and integration, and sensitized stakeholders on the all-weather road that will make travel from New Delhi to Bangkok by road possible.

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Tags: India, Myanmar, Thailand, IMT-MVA, Transport, Road

October 2016

Maldives-Thailand Joint Trade Committee Agree to Expand Bilateral Trade and Investment

The Second Meeting of Maldives-Thailand Joint Trade Committee agreed to increase bilateral trade and investment between the two countries, and pursue cooperation in tourism, fishing, labor, and health. The Government of Maldives also agreed to lift tariffs on imported goods from Thailand.

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Tags: Maldives, Thailand, Trade

August 2016

Joint Trade Commission Initiates Enhanced Bhutan-Thailand Economic Relations

The Bhutan-Thailand Joint Trade Commission held its first meeting on 24-25 August 2016 in Thimphu, Bhutan, to discuss ways to increase bilateral trade and improve economic cooperation. Ms. Apiradi Tantrapon, Minister for Commerce, Thailand, emphasized that implementing the 2013 bilateral trade and economic cooperation agreement is key to strengthening economic relations.

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Tags: Bhutan, Thailand, Trade

July 2016

Bus Service along IMT Route under Negotiation

Talks to implement a regular bus service between India and Thailand through Myanmar are underway as part of a Motor Vehicle Agreement being finalized by India, Myanmar, and Thailand (IMT). The service would run on the 1,400 kilometer IMT Trilateral Highway linking South and Southeast Asia.

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Tags: India, Myanmar, Thailand, Trade Facilitation, Transport

June 2016

India, Thailand to Increase Trade through Trade Agreement

India and Thailand have agreed to speed up talks on the India-Thailand Free Trade Agreement and bilateral investment treaty. The two countries also agreed to fast-track infrastructure projects linking each other, such as the Asian Trilateral Highway connecting India and Thailand through Myanmar.

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Tags: India, Thailand, Myanmar, Free Trade Agreement, Trade

May 2016

1,400 Kilometer Highway to Link India, Myanmar, and Thailand

A 1,400 kilometer highway will soon connect South and Southeast Asia by linking India with Myanmar and Thailand. Mr. Bhagwant Singh Bishnoi, Indian Ambassador to Thailand, noted that the tri-nation highway exemplifies India's "Act East" policy, and will facilitate transit of goods and further development of SMEs in north India. The three countries are currently working to finalize negotiations for the groundbreaking India-Myanmar-Thailand Motor Vehicle Agreement.

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Tags: India, Myanmar, Thailand, Trade Facilitation, Infrastructure, Small and Medium Enterprises

March 2016

Thailand Proposes FTA with Sri Lanka

Thailand is proposing a Free Trade Agreement with Sri Lanka, according to Thailand Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Dr. Somkid Jatusripitak. The two countries have signed 3 memorandums of understanding and letters of intent to triple their bilateral trade by 2020, bringing it from $500 million to $1.5 million in 5 years.

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Tags: Thailand, Sri Lanka, Bilateral Trade, Free Trade Agreement

February 2016

Bangladesh and Thailand Discuss Direct Coastal Shipping through Chittagong-Ranong Ports

A delegation from the Port Authority of Thailand and officials from Bangladesh's Ministry of Shipping held the first official discussion on direct coastal shipping connectivity between Bangladesh and Thailand. The two countries agreed to carry out a feasibility study on the Chittagong Port, with the aim of signing a memorandum of understanding.

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Tags: Bangladesh, Thailand, Transport

December 2015

69 Bridges to be Built on Major Section of the IMT Trilateral Highway

A total of 69 bridges will be built by the Government of India along a major road link of the India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) Trilateral Highway in Myanmar. These bridges will be part of the route for a proposed bus service linking Imphal, capital of the Indian state of Manipur, with Mandalay City in Myanmar. The project is estimated to cost around $56 million, and is due for completion in mid-2019.

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Tags: India, Myanmar, Thailand, Trade Facilitation, Transport

November 2015

Trial Runs for the IMT Motor Vehicle Agreement Begin in December

Trial runs to test the effectiveness of the India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) Motor Vehicle Agreement and identify implementation-related issues will begin by December 2015, according to India's Union Road Transport and Highway Secretary Vijay Chibber. Protocols for the IMT MVA are currently being finalized, to be signed by early April 2016.

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Tags: India, Myanmar, Thailand, Trade Facilitation, Transport

August 2015

26 km Section of Asian Highway Linking IMT becomes Operational

The Myawaddy-Thin Gan Nyi Naung-Kawkareik section of the Asian Highway linking India, Myanmar, and Thailand (IMT) has become operational, reducing travel time between Thin Gan Nyi Naung and Kawkareik from 3 hours to 45 minutes. This section was constructed beginning 2012 with the assistance of Thailand, and is part of the Greater Mekong Subregion Program.

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Tags: India, Transport, Myanmar, Thailand

March 2012

SASEC Trade Facilitation and Transport Working Group Meeting in Kolkata

Following the SASEC Trade Facilitation and Transport Working Group (TFTW) Meeting in Bangkok in October 2011 the TFTWG met again in Kolkata on 5 March 2012 and agreed on a list of investment and technical assistance projects.

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Tags: India, Investment, SASEC, Thailand, Trade Facilitation, Transport