Asia Regional Integration Center

Cross-border Infrastructure

Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC)

The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) was set up in June 1997 to foster socio-economic cooperation among Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Myanmar was admitted as a full member in December 1997, and Bhutan and Nepal in 2004. Priority areas of cooperation include: fisheries, trade and investment, technology, energy, transport and communication, and tourism.

The First Summit Meeting held in 2004 highlighted, among other milestones, the signing of a Framework Agreement for a BIMSTEC Free Trade Area, the launch of the Visit BIMSTEC Year 2004-2005, a year-long Plan of Action on tourism, and the establishment of the BIMSTEC Center in Bangkok.