The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) was created by the Bangkok Declaration of 1997. It is a regional organisation with seven members: five from south Asia ─ Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka ─ and two from south-east Asia ─ Myanmar/Burma and Thailand. These countries combine a population of 1.64 billion people (22.3 % of world population) and a gross domestic product (GDP) of almost US$3.2 trillion. The organisation’s headquarters, inaugurated in 2014, are in Dhaka, Bangladesh. BIMSTEC pursues economic growth for its members through sector-driven cooperation ─ each sector being led by a member state. The initial six sectors (trade, technology, energy, transport, tourism and fisheries) were expanded in 2008 to include an additional eight (agriculture, public health, poverty alleviation, counter-terrorism, environment, culture, people-to-people contact, and climate change). The chair of BIMSTEC rotates among member states. As well as sporadic summits, its institutional mechanism includes annual ministerial meetings, a senior officials committee, a BIMSTEC working group, and specialised task forces. BIMSTEC respects principles such as territorial integrity, political independence, and non-interference in internal affairs. This cooperation represents an addition to, and not a substitute for, bilateral, regional or multilateral cooperation involving BIMSTEC members.
In focus
We write about
Blogroll
Disclaimer and Copyright statement
The content of all documents (and articles) contained in this blog is the sole responsibility of the author and any opinions expressed therein do not necessarily represent the official position of the European Parliament. It is addressed to the Members and staff of the EP for their parliamentary work. Reproduction and translation for non-commercial purposes are authorised, provided the source is acknowledged and the European Parliament is given prior notice and sent a copy.
For a comprehensive description of our cookie and data protection policies, please visit Terms and Conditions page.
Copyright © European Union, 2014-2023. All rights reserved.
You have used a wrong map of India.