BIMSTEC Signs Maritime Transport Cooperation Agreement

Foreign ministers of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) have signed an agreement to enhance maritime transport cooperation among the seven member states.

The agreement was signed on Thursday morning (April 3) at a hotel in Bangkok, Thailand, ahead of the 20th BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting.

Following the signing, Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Advisor, Md Touhid Hossain, attended the ministerial meeting. During his speech, he reaffirmed Bangladesh's commitment to collective peace, progress, and prosperity through a unified BIMSTEC vision.

He also highlighted the importance of strengthening inter-regional trade and effectively implementing the BIMSTEC Free Trade Agreement (FTA) for practical and result-driven cooperation.

Additionally, he raised the issue of the 1.2 million Rohingya refugees currently sheltered in Bangladesh, urging Myanmar to create favorable conditions for their safe and dignified repatriation.

In a press statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the BIMSTEC Maritime Transport Cooperation Agreement as a crucial step toward improving regional connectivity.