BIMSTEC promotes trade, coop for Indo-Pacific security

Business Desk:

Bimstec Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey has said Bimstec’s efforts to boost trade, investment, connectivity, and cooperation on the SDGs help improve security and development in the Indo-Pacific.

Speaking at the 3rd Indo-Pacific Economic Conclave held on September 18-19 in Kolkata, Bimstec Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey highlighted the growing importance of Bimstec for regional cooperation, covering South and South-East Asia, reports UNB.

Emphasizing progress in maritime, surface, and digital connectivity, he also drew attention to other aspects of maritime cooperation under Bimstec (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation).

During the event, he engaged in a Fireside Chat with renowned scholar Prabir De, the Bimstec headquarters said on Sunday.

The Conclave, organized by the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry, brought together policymakers, business leaders, and experts to discuss economic opportunities and challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. In the Fireside Chat, the SG underscored achievements in various sectors, including people-to-people relations, business-to-business interactions, and the relevance of Bimstec as a platform for regional cooperation in Asia and the Pacific.

Speakers at the Conclave said the Indo-Pacific region accounts for more than 60 per cent of global GDP, with trade and maritime partnerships playing a crucial role in shaping future economic trajectories.