Union Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation U Min Naung, Deputy Minister for Transport and Communications U Aung Kyaw Tun and Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Lwin Oo received Ambassador Indra Mani Pandey, who is also the Secretary-General of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) at their respective ministries in Nay Pyi Taw on 23 July.
- During the call between Union Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation and Secretary-General of BIMSTEC, they cordially discussed the BIMSTEC agricultural sector cooperation action plan, how Myanmar can improve cooperation with member countries in increasing production and sustainable farming practices, improving trade and investment in the agricultural sector, strengthening research and development in the farming industry, and ensuring food security and nutrition.
- During the call between Deputy Minister for Transport and Communications and Secretary-General of BIMSTEC, they frankly discussed on enhancing cooperation in transport and communications among member states, as well as improving trade, investment, and tourism through better regional connectivity. They also discussed Myanmar’s role in transport and communications, including cybersecurity, within the future BIMSTEC cooperation framework.
- During the call between Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Secretary-General of BIMSTEC, they cordially discussed and exchanged views on matters related to BIMSTEC cooperation mechanisms. Their discussions also focused on the importance of food security in the region. Furthermore, they deliberated on the works of BIMSTEC EPG on the future directions of BIMSTEC and the holding of core and sectoral BIMSTEC meetings regularly.
Ambassador Indra Mani Pandey of India assumed his duties as the 4th secretary-general of BIMSTEC in January 2024. It was learned that the secretary-general had made earlier introductory visits to other BIMSTEC Member States.
The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is a regional organization established in 1997. It comprises seven Member States: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
The main purpose of BIMSTEC is to promote economic cooperation among the Member States of the Bay of Bengal region. Out of the current seven Sectors of BIMSTEC Cooperation, Myanmar is serving as the leading country for BIMSTEC’s “Agriculture and Food Security Sector”, it is reported.
Source: GNLM (24-7-2024)
- During the meeting between the Union Ministers and Secretary-General of BIMSTEC, they cordially discussed the BIMSTEC agricultural sector cooperation action plan, Myanmar’s role in transport and communications, including cyber security, within the future BIMSTEC cooperation framework and the importance of food security in the region.