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DHAKA, July 15, 2025 (BSS) – Secretary General of BIMSTEC Indra Mani Pandey has underscored the need for strengthening maritime cooperation among member states to build a connected, resilient and prosperous Bay of Bengal region.

“Strengthening maritime cooperation is essential to building a connected, resilient and prosperous Bay of Bengal region. This Conclave provides an important opportunity for member states to align strategic priorities, accelerate joint action, and advance BIMSTEC’s vision of regional integration,” he said.

The BIMSTEC Secretary General made the remarks while addressing the closing session of the 2nd BIMSTEC Ports Conclave in Visakhapatnam, India, said a press release here today. 

The two-day conclave, hosted by the Visakhapatnam Port Authority under India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, concluded on Tuesday, with participation from delegations of the seven BIMSTEC member states, including Bangladesh. 

The event, themed “Navigating the Future: Blue Economy, Innovation & Sustainable Partnerships”, focused on enhancing regional maritime connectivity, sustainable port operations and trade facilitation.

The conclave highlighted key areas including promoting public-private partnerships in maritime projects, harmonising customs and logistics for port efficiency, catalysing cruise tourism, and advancing digitisation and low-carbon logistics within BIMSTEC ports.

Significantly, participants welcomed India’s proposal to establish a BIMSTEC Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Maritime Transport, which will serve as a hub for research, training and best practices in green and resilient maritime logistics for the region.

The conclave reiterated the implementation of the BIMSTEC Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation (AMTC), adopted during the 6th BIMSTEC Summit earlier this year, as a key milestone to facilitate efficient and harmonised maritime trade across the region.

Member states also proposed establishing institutional mechanisms such as a BIMSTEC Maritime Business Forum, a Network of Maritime Think Tanks, and a BIMSTEC Ports Communication System to enhance digital connectivity and policy coordination among regional ports.

To improve trade facilitation, the conclave called for a regional single-window clearance system and the negotiation of a BIMSTEC Trade Facilitation Agreement, recognising the vital role of multimodal connectivity for landlocked and underserved areas.

Secretary General Pandey proposed institutionalising the BIMSTEC Ports Conclave as a regular platform to sustain dialogue and deepen maritime cooperation in the Bay of Bengal, affirming the Secretariat’s commitment to working closely with member states for a secure and developed region.

BIMSTEC, comprising Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand, is focused on deepening cooperation in connectivity, trade, investment and the blue economy, positioning the Bay of Bengal as a hub for regional growth and integration.

Bangladesh, as an active member of BIMSTEC, emphasised the importance of regional port connectivity to boost intra-regional trade, economic growth and people-to-people ties in the Bay of Bengal region, aligning with the goals of Bangladesh’s Blue Economy strategy and Vision 2041.