Focus on realistic, result-oriented projects: FM to BIMSTEC

The Bangladesh foreign minister has urged all the members and stakeholders of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation or BIMSTEC to focus on “undertaking more realistic and result-oriented and mutually beneficial projects”.

Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali also renewed Bangladesh’s “resolve to turn this regional organisation into a more dynamic, result oriented and efficient platform for our future progress and prosperity”.

He was speaking at a reception marking the 20th anniversary of the regional grouping that connects South Asia with Southeast Asia.

Secretary General Sumith Nakandala also spoke at the occasion.

Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand are the members of the Bay of Bengal grouping which is often criticised for its failure to yield any collective results.

The foreign minister, however, said 20 years - for a regional organisation is “not a long time”.

“Even then BIMSTEC has achieved some progress during the last 20 years”.

He said the grouping has “enormous” resources and potentials to fulfil the ‘aims and purposes’ of the Bangkok Declaration on the establishment of BIMSTEC in 1997.

The countries of South Asia and South East Asian regions are the fastest growing ones in Asia and over the years, “we have seen remarkable economic advancement, social and technological progress”.

The secretary general in his speech said: “Political commitment alone will not help regional cooperation succeed.  What is more necessary is a non-parochial mindset, and a transcending of pettiness supplemented by a deep understanding of the pluralistic values of the region”.

The foreign minister appreciated him for his efforts as the first secretary general during the last three years and said the role of the Secretary-General of any regional organisation is “very crucial” to coordinate agenda and implement the process of that organisation.

He said as a founding Member, Bangladesh has always been “firmly committed to making the BIMSTEC process more dynamic and strengthening its institutional mechanism”.

“Establishment of the BIMSTEC Secretariat in 2014 and hosting it in Dhaka is a testimony of Bangladesh’s commitment to strengthen the BIMSTEC process,” he said.

“We are proud to host the Secretariat of BIMSTEC in Bangladesh”.

Since the inception of BIMSTEC, Bangladesh has been “cooperating closely” with the member states on issues like liberalisation and facilitation of trade, enhancing economic development, and strengthening energy cooperation.

Cooperation in technology, increasing connectivity and people-to-people contact, combating terrorism and extremism to achieve collective security, dealing with the adverse effect of climate change are the other areas the grouping is working on.

BIMSTEC leaders at a retreat in Goa last year have reiterated their commitment to “intensify” efforts to realise the objectives and purposes of BIMSTEC as outlined in the Declaration.

They also pledged to work collectively towards making BIMSTEC stronger, more effective, and result-oriented organisation.