BIMSTEC, a huge market and destination for tourism: Saud

Foreign Minister NP Saud said that BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) offers huge markets and destinations for tourism as well as trade and investment opportunities within the region and beyond. "Political determination with common understanding of the leaders keeps the hope high for a peaceful, prosperous, resilient and sustainable Bay of Bengal. Transformation of the potentials into reality, words into deeds and understanding into results are at the core of the regional sprit to move ahead for the common prosperity and shared happiness," Minister Saud said while extending best wishes to the governments and peoples of the BIMSTEC Member States today, the 26th Anniversary of BIMSTEC. BIMSTEC endows enormous potentials with abundant natural resources, rich cultural heritages, and shared civilizational norms and values, Minister Saud said, adding that this region provides a unique link between the South and South East Asia in bringing together about 1.6 billion people — 23 percent of the world population.

"Adoption of the BIMSTEC Charter and reconstitution of the BIMSTEC areas of cooperation during 5th Summit held in March 2022, among others are the instrumental steps for strengthening of the BIMSTEC process,” he said, adding, “In the decades-long journey of the regional process, we have adopted several documents, framed institutional mechanisms and developed common understandings for the cause of the BIMSTEC countries and their peoples.”

“On this auspicious occasion, I feel honored to recall the 19th BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting held on 9 March 2023, which has endorsed several important instruments including the BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision 2030, Rules of Procedures for BIMSTEC Mechanisms, Terms of Reference for Eminent Persons’ Group for future direction and the more," Minister Saud said. He underscored the need of effective implementation of the agreements and understanding reached among the leaders during the various meetings for bringing positive impact in the lives of the people of the region. Minister Saud expressed confidence that the BIMSTEC region will navigate towards the desired destination under the able chairmanship of the Kingdom of Thailand.