Bangladesh calls on BIMSTEC member states to expedite the finalization of key trade agreements
Bangladesh has urged BIMSTEC member states to provide full cooperation for the timely finalization of six essential agreements on trade in goods under the Framework Agreement.
Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin urged BIMSTEC member states to accelerate key trade agreements while leading a five-member Bangladesh delegation at the 25th BIMSTEC Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM), which commenced today in Bangkok, Thailand. This meeting serves as a preparatory session for the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, scheduled for April 4, 2025.
In his address, Jashim Uddin emphasized the progress made in "Trade, Investment, and Development, including Blue Economy," where Bangladesh holds the Lead Country status. He called on regional partners to finalize agreements on trade in goods, Rules of Origin, Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters, Dispute Settlement Procedures, Trade Facilitation, Investment, and Trade in Services. Stressing the importance of a BIMSTEC Free Trade Area (FTA), he underscored its role in advancing collective economic growth in the region.
The meeting also reviewed reports from past sessions, including the Report of the Eminent Persons' Group (EPG) on BIMSTEC’s future direction. Discussions covered BIMSTEC’s specialized centers, such as the BIMSTEC Centre for Weather and Climate and the proposed BIMSTEC Centre of Excellence on Tropical Medicine.
Senior officials finalized the draft Provisional Agenda and Report for the 20th BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting, scheduled for tomorrow. They also completed drafts of the provisional agenda and declaration for the Sixth BIMSTEC Summit.
Bangladesh will host the 26th BIMSTEC Senior Officials' Meeting in Dhaka.
BIMSTEC consists of seven member countries: India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
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