Outgoing Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Tuesday extended his best wishes to the Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Co-operation (Bimstec) for imparting fresh momentum in its endeavours.

In his message released on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of its establishment, Dahal has said member countries of the regional bloc collectively possess bountiful natural resources, vibrant population, diverse cultural heritages and has huge potentials for cooperation and collaboration for closer intra-regional connectivity along with a multitude of challenges—mass poverty, increasing inequalities, illiteracy, diseases, visible impact of climate change and natural disasters. 

“Overcoming these existing and emerging challenges requires enhanced partnership and collaboration of the countries in a true spirit of regional solidarity can uplift the socioeconomic conditions of the country,” Dahal said. “And its pace of development by enhanced connectivity of geography, finance, technology, trade and investment, energy and tourism.”

Bimstec comprises Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

Recalling the agreement reached among Brics-Bimstec leaders to renew commitments incorporated in the Outcome Document in Goa, India on October 16 last year, Dahal said the ‘Agenda of Action’ provides a clear direction to reinforce our endeavours towards harnessing natural and human resources for our collective progress and prosperity. He expressed hope its progress would be reviewed during the Fourth Bimstec Summit scheduled to be held in Nepal sometime between September and October this year. 

Reaffirming Nepal’s commitment to regional integration and cooperation, Dahal added, “The two decades of experience at Bimstec apprises that we need to make further efforts to promote regional collaboration and partnership for our mutual benefit.”

Similarly, outgoing Foreign Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat reaffirmed Nepal’s commitment to regional cooperation under Bimstec and encouraged activities towards making effective regional cooperation and integration on the occasion of its 20th anniversary.

According to Mahat, the foundation of Bimstec was inspired by the conviction that rapid economic development coupled with social progress would be achievable with joint endeavours of the member states in the spirit of mutual collaboration and partnership. “Geographical proximity, abundant and diverse natural resources, and a vast mixture of human resources are key enabling factors for collective progress and prosperity,” he said. 

Mahat added that enhanced regional cooperation in core areas such as trade, investment, transport, and energy would certainly culminate in deeper regional integration and changed development landscape in the region. 

Appreciating the works done by the secretariat of coordinating and facilitating our engagements under the Bimstec framework, Mahat commits to hosting Fourth Bimstec Summit in Nepal.