Staff Reporter :
Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain has emphasised the need for tangible and result-oriented cooperation among BIMSTEC member states, particularly through the effective implementation of the BIMSTEC Free Trade Area (FTA) to enhance intra-regional trade.
Touhid made these remarks while leading the Bangladesh delegation at the 20th BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting held in Bangkok, Thailand on Thursday, according to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Foreign ministers from all seven BIMSTEC member nations participated in the meeting, which was held a day before the Sixth BIMSTEC Summit. Earlier in the day, the ministers signed the Agreement on BIMSTEC Maritime Transport Cooperation, a significant step toward improving regional connectivity.
During the session, Touhid Hossain reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to fostering peace, progress, and prosperity through BIMSTEC.
He also raised concerns about the 1.2 million Rohingyas currently sheltered in Bangladesh and urged for a conducive environment in Myanmar for their safe and dignified repatriation.
The BIMSTEC foreign ministers finalized the draft Provisional Agenda for the Sixth BIMSTEC Summit and the Summit Declaration, both of which will be reviewed at the summit scheduled for Friday.
The ministers also agreed to hold the 21st BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting in Dhaka, further solidifying Bangladesh’s role in the regional forum.
The Sixth BIMSTEC Summit, which will bring together Heads of State/Government, is set to take place in Bangkok on Friday. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus will represent Bangladesh at the event.
