The sixth summit of BIMSTEC, an alliance of seven countries bordering the Bay of Bengal, concluded on Friday in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand.
Professor Muhammad Yunus, the chief advisor to the interim government of Bangladesh, who attended the two-day Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multilateral Technical and Economic Cooperation conference, was officially handed over the responsibility as the chairman of this regional body.
It is to be noted that are Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Nepal and Bhutan are the member countries of BIMSTEC. There is no alternative to regional cooperation in various fields such as defense, trade, economy, crime control and environment.
It began its journey with the Bangkok Declaration in 1997 with the aim of achieving some economic and technical cooperation.
Initially, its members were Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Later, Myanmar, Nepal and Bhutan joined it.
Although the progress of this alliance in the last 28 years has not been much, it is believed that this just concluded conference has opened a new door for effective mutual cooperation.
The Rohingya issue remained a major obstacle to regional cooperation.
Myanmar’s brutality towards the Rohingyas and the shelter of about 1.1 million Rohingyas in Bangladesh are a major problem of the present time.
The Rohingya issue was also discussion with the regional body leaders on the sidelines with special importance.
On the last day of the summit on Friday, the BIMSTEC leaders have approved six key outcome documents.
The outcome of this conference, we hope, will deliver concrete and tangible benefits to the people of these countries.
The agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation will reduce shipping costs and create new market and improve supply chair efficiency – making exports more competitive and create new market and investment opportunities.
Enhanced people to people exchanges through tourism and cultural cooperation will also boost tourism sector and create new job opportunities.
Ultimately, these outcomes will translate into greater economic opportunities and improve livelihoods for the people of the region.
We hope that the mutual cooperation among the seven BIMSTEC countries will be further strengthened.
There is ample reason to expect that under the dynamic leadership of Professor Yunus, BIMSTEC activities will move forward with specific goals.
Let the opportunities for commercial cooperation among countries of this regional body is further expanded. We look forward to Bangladesh’s leadership in continuing success of this regional forum.
