On October 28, 2024, Mr. Indra Mani Pandey, Secretary General of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), paid a courtesy call on Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary, Mr. Md. Jashim Uddin, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This being their first meeting, the Secretary General briefed the Foreign Secretary on BIMSTEC’s various activities and recent developments within the framework.
Mr. Pandey acknowledged Bangladesh’s pivotal role in advancing the BIMSTEC process and informed that efforts are underway to reschedule the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, which was previously postponed. He also mentioned that the Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) is scheduled to be held virtually on December 19, 2024.
Highlighting Bangladesh’s leadership in the trade, investment, and development sector within BIMSTEC, the Secretary General emphasized the importance of finalizing the Framework Agreement on the BIMSTEC Free Trade Area (BFTA) to enhance intra-regional trade. The Foreign Secretary reiterated Bangladesh’s proposal to host Working Group meetings on Trade Facilitation, Customs Cooperation, and Rules of Origin to finalize the BFTA.
Expressing satisfaction over the adoption of the BIMSTEC Master Plan for Transport Connectivity at the 5th BIMSTEC Summit in Colombo in 2022, the Foreign Secretary emphasized the need for its timely implementation. Both officials underscored the importance of forming the BIMSTEC Chamber of Commerce early.
The Foreign Secretary conveyed Bangladesh’s eagerness to assume the Chairpersonship of BIMSTEC and its readiness to play a proactive role in revitalizing the organization. He assured the Secretary General of Bangladesh’s full support in facilitating the BIMSTEC Secretariat to fulfill its mandate.
