Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey has said business to business relations are important for enhancing intra-BIMSTEC trade and investment.

Welcoming recent launch of India leadership of BIMSTEC Business Council, he said they are going to launch BIMSTEC Chamber of Commerce and Industries and a platform for investment promotion authorities.

Together with the leadership of ASSOCHAM, the Secretary General said, these platforms will provide momentum for business communities coming together, leading to better development in Bay of Bengal region.

The BIMSTEC Secretariat welcomed the launch by ASSOCHAM of the new India leadership of BIMSTEC Business Council, which marks an important step towards deepening intra-BIMSTEC trade and Investment through enhancing business-to-business relations, said the BIMSTEC headquarters on Wednesday.

The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India is a non-governmental trade association and advocacy group based in New Delhi, India.

The new leadership has set a strategic agenda focused on three core pillars: Trade Facilitation, Multi-modal Connectivity, and MSME Cooperation.

These priorities align closely with the BIMSTEC "Bangkok Vision 2030," which seeks to transform Bay of Bengal into a resilient, open and prosperous region. Bangladesh, being the lead member State for cooperation under BIMSTEC in Trade, Investment and Development Sector has a significant role in enhancing business to business exchanges and dialogues.

ASSOCHAM President Nirmal K Minda highlighted the organisation's vision of advancing connectivity, encouraging MSMEs and creating new investment and innovation opportunities across member States.

ASSOCHAM Secretary General Saurabh Sanyal said this marks not just an institutional milestone, but a lasting commitment to businesses across seven nations. “Our focus is on turning intent into action through robust industry–government collaboration.”

BIMSTEC Business Council India Chair Tribhuvan Darbari said BIMSTEC represents a USD 5 trillion opportunity.

“The time is ripe to unlock this potential through deeper trade integration, stronger supply chains, and seamless connectivity. The real opportunity within BIMSTEC lies in converting policy alignment into business outcomes."

BIMSTEC chief underscores Bangladesh’s leading role in regional cooperation

Dr Shankar Prasad Sharma, Ambassador of Nepal to India, Penday Dorji, Counsellor (Economic), Royal Bhutanese Embassy, New Delhi, Thin Pyant Thida Kyaw, Deputy Chief of Mission/Minister Counsellor, Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, New Delhi, Geshan Dissanayake, Minister Counsellor (Commercial), The High Commission of Sri Lanka to India and Charoenporn Raksapolmuang (Counsellor), Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi, also participated at the event.

BIMSTEC comprises seven countries of the Bay of Bengal region: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.