A 12-member business delegation from Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) led by the Chamber’s President Barrister Md. Sameer Sattar left Dhaka on Sunday to join the BIMSTEC Business Conclave in Kolkata.  The Conclave will be held on June 13-15 in Kolkata, India.  Also Read: BIMSTEC chief urges member states to boost trade within the region Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICC) in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, is organizing this mega conclave with the theme “Quantum leap in business cooperation for shared prosperity and growth”.  The BIMSTEC region brings together 1.67 billion people and a combined GDP of around USD 2.88 trillion which offers a huge market to the investors and traders.  In spite of close proximity and historical linkages, the region has not witnessed major flow of FDI among BIMSTEC countries.  The conclave aims to chart out an actionable agenda to augment intra-regional trade and investment in this region as well as strengthen the value chains for mutual benefits through deeper economic engagement of the BIMSTEC countries, according to DCCI. Also Read: Dhaka seeks Member States' greater commitments to implement BIMSTEC FTA soon The inaugural session of the 3-day conclave will highlight the ‘25th glorious anniversary of BIMSTEC- towards a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable Bay of Bengal region’.  In addition, to steer the objective of the event, various interactive and high-level topical plenary sessions will be held focusing on trade and investment opportunities, agriculture, food security, infrastructure, logistics and connectivity, advancement of healthcare, sustainable tourism, women entrepreneurship, demographic dividend, textile, finance, digital connectivity, climate change and regional business cooperation. DCCI delegation will join some discussion sessions.  Also Read: Bangladesh for speedy implementation of BIMSTEC Free Trade Area The DCCI delegation during their visit will also attend the B2B meetings and exhibition to explore wide-ranging cross-border trade and investment opportunities to make this trip successful.    

Bangladesh's partnership with countries in the Indian Ocean will become stronger through hosting the Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) in Dhaka on May 12-13, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said on Wednesday. Mauritius President Prithvirajsing Roopun, minister and state minister-level delegation from 25 countries including Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will attend the conference. Briefing reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Momen also said around 150 foreign guests will participate in the conference including representatives from D8, SAARC and BIMSTEC. The participating ministers will also visit Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi 32 to pay respect to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam said Bangladesh maintains good relations with Mauritius and the relations will further strengthen through the visit of the country's president. Responding to a question, Dr Momen said Myanmar was not invited to the conference. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the conference at a Dhaka hotel on May 12. The Prime Minister will also host a dinner in honour of the guests. The 6th edition of the conference is being organised by India Foundation in association with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Bangladesh. With the theme of “Peace, Prosperity and Partnership for a Resilient Future”, the conference would bring together a luminary gathering of key stakeholders to chart the roadmap for strengthening the Indian Ocean Region. External Affairs Minister of India Dr S. Jaishankar will deliver the keynote address of the evening alongside special addresses by the Deputy Secretary of State of USA Wendy Sherman and Vice President of Maldives Faisal Naseem. The inaugural session will also be graced by the presence of Foreign Minister Dr Momen and Foreign Minister of Oman Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi. The Foreign Minister of Singapore (Dr Vivian Balakrishnan) will be represented by Dr Maliki Osman, Minister in the Prime Ministers' Office and Second Minister of Foreign Affairs of Singapore. Official delegations led by Heads of State/Government, Deputy Heads, Cabinet Ministers, Deputy Ministers and Senior Officials from 27 countries and multilateral organisations will address the conference on May 13. The conference will also bring together a gathering of over 300 social and corporate leaders, policy practitioners, scholars, professionals and media personnel from over 40 countries. The Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) was started in 2016 and in the last six years it has emerged as the "flagship consultative forum" for countries in the region on regional affairs. The conference endeavours to bring critical states and principal maritime partners of the region together on a common platform to deliberate upon the prospects of regional cooperation for Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR). The first edition of the conference was held in Singapore in 2016. It was attended by over 300 delegates from 22 countries including ministers, political leaders, diplomats, strategic thinkers, academics, and media.

The team comprising Medhini Wanigaratne and Sayurangi Premasiri representing Sri Lanka emerged victorious in the BIMSTEC Silver Jubilee Quiz held in Thimphu recently. The team representing Nepal comprising Aayusha Bohara and Sushank Paudel became the first runner-up, while the team representing India comprising Reet and Ron Dutta stood as the second runner-up. Dr. Tandi Dorji, Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade of Bhutan handed over the winning trophy and medals to the champions from Sri Lanka, said the BIMSTEC Secretariat on Monday. The Ambassador-designate of Bangladesh to Bhutan Shib Nath Roy handed over medals and certificates to the first and second runners-up from Nepal and India. The team representing Sri Lanka scored 130 points, while the second and third runners-up Nepal and India scored 87 and 84 points respectively.  

The first BIMSTEC Quiz will be held in Bhutan's Thimphu on February 14, marking the 25th anniversary of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). The Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade of Bhutan Tandi Dorji will be the chief guest at the event. Seven teams composed of two secondary school students representing all BIMSTEC members – Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand – will compete in the Quiz. The contest is being organised by the BIMSTEC Secretariat in Dhaka, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade of Bhutan, and with the support of the foreign ministries of BIMSTEC members. The secretariat decided to organise an event in connection with BIMSTEC's Silver Jubilee, recognising the importance of young people in driving regional cooperation and integration.

India on Wednesday provided $1 million to the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Secretariat in Dhaka to increase its operational budget. Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Rajkumar Ranjan Singh handed over a cheque for $1 million to BIMSTEC Secretary General Tenzin Lekphell in New Delhi. Read: Connectivity always a priority: BIMSTEC secretary general On March 30, during the 5th BIMSTEC Summit in Colombo, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his country would provide the BIMSTEC Secretariat with $1 million to increase its operational budget to strengthen its capacity. The contribution to the operational budget will have to be used to complete key institution-building tasks collectively identified by the member states, the regional multilateral organisation said. BIMSTEC members – Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand – lie in the littoral and adjacent areas of the Bay of Bengal.

BIMSTEC Secretary General Tenzin Lekphell has hoped that the member states will take advantage of the recently adopted master plan for connectivity and implement its components to achieve their aspiration of a truly connected Bay of Bengal region. "Connectivity has always been a priority for the region," he said while addressing the BIMSTEC Day reception at a city hotel Monday. Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen joined the reception virtually from Hungary as the chief guest. Planning Minister MA Mannan, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam, representatives of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) member states, diplomats stationed in Dhaka, foreign affairs experts and economists were present. Momen hoped BIMSTEC would become a smarter and result-oriented regional organisation by boosting connectivity and ensuring free mobility of people, goods and services. Also Read: BIMSTEC leaders pledge to intensify regional cooperation to offset economic losses This year's BIMSTEC Day celebration is special as the member states are celebrating their silver jubilee anniversary. The BIMSTEC secretary general reaffirmed the Secretariat's commitment to work hand-in-hand with all member states, at all times, to pursue the goals and objectives of BIMSTEC as envisioned by the member states. BIMSTEC, a regional organisation, was established on 6 June 1997 with the signing of the Bangkok Declaration. Initially known as BIST-EC (Bangladesh-India-Sri Lanka-Thailand Economic Cooperation), the organisation now comprises seven member states with the admission of Myanmar on 22 December 1997, and Bhutan and Nepal in February 2004.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday called upon fellow leaders to strive to transform the Bay of Bengal into a bridge of connectivity, prosperity and security among the BIMSTEC-member countries. In his intervention, the Indian Prime Minister underscored the importance of enhanced BIMSTEC regional connectivity, cooperation and security, and made several suggestions in this regard. Read: BIMSTEC leaders pledge to intensify regional cooperation to offset economic losses Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her Indian counterpart Modi along with other leaders also witnessed the signing of three BIMSTEC agreements which represent progress being achieved in ongoing cooperation activities. These are BIMSTEC Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters; BIMSTEC Memorandum of Understanding on Mutual Cooperation in the field of Diplomatic Training and Memorandum of Association on Establishment of BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility. The main outcome of the Summit was the adoption and signing of the BIMSTEC Charter, which formalizes the grouping into an organization made up of member states that are littoral to, and dependent upon, the Bay of Bengal. Prime Minister Modi virtually participated in the 5th BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Summit hosted by Sri Lanka. Prior to the 5th BIMSTEC Summit, preparatory meetings at the Senior Official and Foreign Minister levels were held in Colombo on March 28 and 29 in the hybrid mode. Read: BIMSTEC Charter signed in Colombo to push forward cooperation The Summit’s theme “Towards a Resilient Region, Prosperous Economies, Healthy People” captured the main current priorities of member states, and the efforts by BIMSTEC to develop cooperation activities that support member state’s programmes to deal with the economic and development consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Summit also saw considerable progress being achieved in the BIMSTEC connectivity agenda with the adoption of the ‘Master Plan for Transport Connectivity’ by Leaders which lays out a guidance framework for connectivity related activities in the region in the future.

Leaders of the BIMSTEC on Wednesday vowed to intensify regional cooperation to strengthen connectivity, enhance trade and investment in tourism, technology and energy sectors to offset the economic losses caused by the pandemic. They also pledged to strengthen their collective resilience to combat the challenges of poverty, natural disasters, climate change, pandemics and all other public health emergencies. Read:Dhaka voted for humanitarian cause, PM says on second UN vote on Ukraine The BIMSTEC leaders in its 5th Summit, held in Sri Lankan capital city, pledged to strengthen their efforts to effectively deal with terrorism and transnational crimes, and ensure food and energy security through partnership and joint actions, in parallel to the implementation toward the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, keeping in mind that COVID 19 may not be the last calamity to befall their region. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of Bhutan; Prime Minister of Nepal; President of Sri Lanka; Prime Minister of Thailand and representative of Myanmar met virtually in Colombo for the Fifth BIMSTEC Summit. They encouraged Member States to continue to support one another in combating COVID-19 through the BIMSTEC framework as well as bilaterally to foster the spirit of BIMSTEC solidarity, according to the 5th BIMSTEC Summit Deceleration. The key outcome of the Summit was the adoption and signing of the BIMSTEC Charter, which formalizes the grouping into an organization made up of member states that are littoral to, and dependent upon, the Bay of Bengal.

Leaders of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) on Wednesday signed the BIMSTEC Charter at the 5th Summit held in Sri Lankan capital city placing the organization’s activities on a more structured and rule based platform. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi joined the Summit, hosted by current BIMSTEC chair Sri Lanka in virtual mode, from Dhaka and New Delhi respectively with other BIMSTEC leaders from Bhutan, Nepal, Thailand and Myanmar. BIMSTEC Convention on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters was signed by Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and the nominated signatories of the BIMSTEC Member States.  Memorandum of Association (MoA) on the Establishment of BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility (TTF) in Colombo, Sri Lanka was signed by Dr Momen, Ministers of Foreign Affairs and the nominated signatories of the BIMSTEC Member States. Read: Strong Bangladesh contributes to NE India's development: Junior Foreign Minister of India

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday called for collective efforts of the seven Bay of Bengal countries at tapping the full potentials of the region for the benefits of their people. “We need to find common strategies to rebuild a sustainable and resilient Bay of Bengal region by tapping the full potentials of the region,” she said while addressing the 5th BIMSTEC Summit that opened in Sri Lankan capital Colombo. Joining the summit virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban the prime minister said that the summit meeting gives an opportunity to expedite the collective efforts and find out common solutions to the multiple challenges. BIMSTEC of Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation comprises Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand bringing together 1.54 billion people of the resource-rich region.