FM Khanal stresses result-oriented cooperation among BIMSTEC members

Kathmandu, July 28

Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has stressed the need for deeper, more effective and results-oriented cooperation across all areas of BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) to accelerate the economic transformation of member states and address shared regional challenges.

During a courtesy meeting with BIMSTEC Secretary-General Indra Mani Pandey at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on Tuesday, he reaffirmed Nepal's commitment to the (BIMSTEC), describing it as an important regional platform for promoting regional cooperation, peace, prosperity and sustainable development.

The MoFA informed in a statement that he also highlighted the importance of developing BIMSTEC into a more effective, results-oriented and people-centred regional organisation capable of delivering tangible benefits that can be directly experienced by the citizens of member states.

Likewise, FM Khanal welcomed ongoing efforts to strengthen the organisation institutionally, including the implementation of the BIMSTEC Charter. He reiterated Nepal's commitment, as the lead country for the People-to-People Contact sector, to strengthening regional ties through tourism, culture and greater exchanges among the peoples of member states.

The Foreign Minister also expressed Nepal's continued support for advancing BIMSTEC's shared objectives and contributing to the development of the Bay of Bengal region as a stronger, more prosperous and better-connected region.

During the meeting, Secretary-General Pandey briefed FM Khanal on recent progress and ongoing efforts to strengthen BIMSTEC as an effective, results-oriented and action-oriented regional organisation. He outlined developments in institutional reforms, the implementation of the BIMSTEC Charter and the BIMSTEC Vision Document, as well as priority initiatives aimed at enhancing regional cooperation.

"Pandey commended Nepal's active participation and constructive contribution to BIMSTEC activities and expressed confidence that Nepal would continue to support the organisation in achieving its shared objectives," read the statement.

The meeting also discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation between Nepal and the BIMSTEC Secretariat, make regional cooperation more results-oriented and people-centred, and ensure that the organisation's activities deliver direct benefits to the citizens of member states.

Nepal has been a member of BIMSTEC since 2004. Established to promote multi-sectoral technical and economic cooperation between South Asia and Southeast Asia, the regional organisation comprises Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 29 July 2026.         

Nepal-China mechanism to meet on June 2

Kathmandu, May 22

The third meeting of the mechanism on Nepal-China cooperation programmes is scheduled to take place on June 2 this year, informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).

The meeting will be co-chaired by the Foreign Secretary of Nepal Amrit Bahadur Rai and Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Zhang Maoming.

The two countries had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 21 June 2018 to establish the Mechanism for Facilitation on the Implementation of Nepal-China Cooperation Programmes and Projects in Nepal.

"The meeting will review the progress of projects being implemented with the assistance of the Chinese government, and discuss approaches for their effective implementation," MoFA Spokesperson Lok Bahadur Paudel Ksehtri informed at a press briefing held at the Ministry on Friday.

Likewise, the Ministry is set to launch MoFA Mitra App, developed by the Department of Consular Services to provide legal and consular advice to Nepali citizens abroad, and to assist them in obtaining relief, compensation and insurance payments.

The app will be launched by Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal Tuesday, May 26.

Similarly, Nepal is observing 29 May as International Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest). The day is being observed since 2008, commemorating the first historic successful ascent of Sagarmatha on the same day in 1953. Various programmes will be organised by the Nepali mission abroad and other stakeholders to mark the day.

Meanwhile, Nepal is in the process of ratifying the BIMSTEC Maritime Transport Agreement, signed during the Sixth BIMSTEC Summit.

The pact has been ratified by four member states – Bhutan, India, Myanmar and Thailand – and came into force from 14 May 2026.

"The Ministry of Infrastructure Development is undertaking necessary work to secure ratification of the agreement by the Federal Parliament," informed Kshetri. The agreement applies to vessels and shipping companies flying the national flags of member states, their crews and cargo carried by such vessels.

Meanwhile, Seema Malhotra, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Indo-Pacific at the United Kingdom's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), has arrived here on Friday on a three-day visit.

On Friday, she met with FM Khanal and discussed various matters concerning bilateral relations.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 23 May 2026.

Nepal’s first prime ministerial visit to Thailand in 65 years begins

PM Oli to address BIMSTEC Summit 

 

Kathmandu, Apr. 1

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has embarked on a five-day official visit to Thailand. He reached  Bangkok on Tuesday.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development Prakash Man Singh and Minister for Home Affairs Ramesh Lekhak and other high officials bid farewell to PM Oli and Nepali delegation to BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) at the Tribhuvan International Airport.  

This will be the first-ever Official Visit by the Prime Minister of Nepal to Thailand. There have been no prime ministerial visit from Nepal to Thailand in the last 65 years since the two countries established diplomatic relations.

PM Oli has reached Thailand at the invitation of the Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. He is scheduled to hold a courtesy meeting with the King of Thailand, Vajiralongkorn.

Likewise, PM Oli will hold official talks with his Thai counterpart, Shinawatra, and discuss various areas of bilateral relations between Nepal and Thailand, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) informed in a statement last week.

The Prime Minister will also lead a Nepali delegation to and address the Sixth Summit of the BIMSTEC to be hosted by the Government of Thailand in Bangkok on April 4.

According to the MoFA, PM Oli is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from BIMSTEC member states on the margins of the summit.

PM Oli is accompanied by his spouse Radhika Shakya, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, his Chief Advisor Bishnu Prasad Rimal, Economic and Development Advisor Dr. Yuba Raj Khatiwada, and high-ranking government officials, representatives of private sector and media persons.

Likewise, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Ramnath Adhikari, Agriculture Secretary Dr. Govinda Prasad Sharma and Livestock Secretary, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Mishra will participate in the agriculture minister-level and third high-officials meetings during the BIMSTEC Summit.

Meanwhile, Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) informed that its President Kamlesh Kumar Agrawal, chairman of its Advisory Council Rajesh Kazi Shrestha, Senior Vice-President Dipak Malhotra and honourary VP Arjun Prasad Sharma also left for Thailand with PM Oli.

They will participate in the BIMSTEC Summit and will ink understanding and agreement with trade and business bodies of Thailand on trade facilitation, and tourism and investment promotion.

NCC has made preparations to sign an agreement with the Tourism Council of Thailand. More than 90 per cent of Thai people are Buddhists, and the country could be an important source for pilgrims and tourists to Lumbini and other touristic areas in Nepal. In 2023, more than 25,000 Thai tourists visited Nepal.

In 2023/24, Nepal exported goods worth Rs. 947.5 million to Thailand and imported merchandise of 8.65 billion.

According to the MoFA, the Thai government has been providing assistance to Nepal for human resource development under Thailand International Development Cooperation Agency (TICA) and master’s degree scholarships in various subjects.

On 8 January 1999, the two countries signed an Agreement on Exemption of Visa Requirements for holders of diplomatic and official passports. They also signed Bilateral Air Services Agreement with Thailand on February 16, 2004. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 2 April 2025.    

PM Oli to leave for Thailand on April 1

Kathmandu, Mar. 26

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is paying an Official Visit to the Kingdom of Thailand from 1 to 5 April 2025.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) informed in a statement on Wednesday that he is embarking on the five-day visit of Thailand at the invitation of the Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

This will be the first-ever Official Visit by the Prime Minister of Nepal to Thailand.

During the visit, PM Oli will hold official talks with his Thai counterpart, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, and discuss various areas of bilateral relations between Nepal and Thailand.

Following the official bilateral engagements, the Prime Minister will lead a Nepali delegation to the Sixth Summit of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) to be hosted by the Government of Thailand on 4 April in Bangkok.

PM Oli will address the summit on the same day, informed the MoFA.

The Prime Minister is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from BIMSTEC member states on the margins of the summit.

PM Oli will be accompanied by his spouse Radhika Shakya, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, Chief Advisor to the Prime Minister, Bishnu Prasad Rimal, Economic and Development Advisor to the Prime Minister Dr. Yuba Raj Khatiwada, and high-ranking government officials, representatives of private sector and media persons.

PM Oli and his delegation will return to Nepal on April 5.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 27 March 2025.    

Nepal reiterates its commitment to BIMSTEC Charter

 Kathmandu, Dec. 19

Nepal has reiterated its firm commitments to the vision, objectives of BIMSTEC Charter.

Addressing the twenty fourth Session of Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) held virtually from Bangkok on Thursday, Acting Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai expressed the national view on the regional body.

Rai shared status of progress made in people to-people contact and various sub-sectors including culture, tourism and poverty alleviation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) informed in  statement. 

Nepal is a lead country for  People-to-People Contact Forums. 

Paisan Rupanichkij, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Thailand- current BIMSTEC Chair- chaired the Sesion which was attended by Foreign Secretaries and other high officials of BIMSTEC Member States. 

Meanwhile, Rai also underscored the need to effectively implement existing legal instruments; work together for equitable climate financing; and enhance connectivity, institutionalization process within BIMSTEC. 

The session considered various Memorandums of Understanding, reports, plans of action on cooperation in agreed priority sectors and recommended these policy documents for endorsement by next BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting. 

According to MoFA, the Session also dwelt on other preparatory works leading up to the sixth BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, Thailand ahead.

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 20 December 2024.   

BIMSTEC CC to be established

 Kathmandu, Aug. 8

The business bodies of the BIMSTEC member countries have decided to form the BIMSTEC Chamber of Commerce.

This decision was reached at a meeting held during the BIMSTEC Business Summit held in New Delhi, India. The meeting was attended by presidents and representatives of chambers of commerce from the region, as well as the Secretary General of BIMSTEC, Indra Mani Pandey.

The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) will be a founding member representing Nepal, it said in a statement on Thursday.

FNCCI President, Chandra Prasad Dhakal, expressed his happiness that the chamber was about to be formed as per his proposal made last year. He called for the immediate formation and implementation of the chamber's constitution.

The proposal to establish the BIMSTEC Chamber of Commerce was put forward at the BIMSTEC Trade Summit held in New Delhi, India. The proposal was presented at a meeting of representatives of BIMSTEC member chambers on Wednesday.

As per the proposal, one chamber from each member nation will be included in the BIMSTEC Chamber of Commerce. The BIMSTEC Chamber is expected to accelerate the formation and implementation of the BIMSTEC Free Trade Agreement.

According to the discussions held at the meeting, the Confederation of Indian Industry has proposed for the secretariat of the BIMSTEC Chamber to be established at its office in New Delhi. The presidency of the chamber will be held on a rotational basis.

Along with FNCCI President Dhakal, Past President Bhawani Rana and Senior Vice President Anjan Shrestha were also present at the meeting. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 9 August 2024.        

FNCCI President calls for BIMSTEC Infrastructure Development Fund

Kathmandu, Aug. 7

President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Chandra Prasad Dhakal, has proposed for the establishment of a BIMSTEC Infrastructure Development Fund (BIDF).

Speaking at a session on 'Trade facilitation in BIMSTEC through improved cross-border linkages and trade infrastructure’ at the BIMSTEC Business Summit 2024, being held in New Delhi of India on Wednesday, he stressed on the need for a fund like BIDF.  

Dhakal mentioned that a regional infrastructure fund was necessary to help member states avail resources so that they can develop the necessary infrastructure to promote trade facilitation and develop better cross-border linkages, the FNCCI said in a statement Wednesday.

"When all members states of the BIMSTEC region develop then as a region we will have a stronger voice in international forums and we will also be able to collectively bargain with more authority during international meetings," he said.

Dhakal also mentioned that the East-West Highway in Nepal could be utilised for regional connectivity by connecting Bangladesh to the central region of India, as well as link Myanmar and India through the Kaladan project. He added that a railway project could also be developed that runs parallel to the East-West Highway, which will make the movement of people and goods easier.

He also stressed the necessity to develop border infrastructure, such as integrated check posts, to simplify customs procedures within the region. Similarly, he spoke about the need to develop dry ports especially for landlocked countries like Nepal and Bhutan and how connectivity to these ports must be improved to help lower trade costs and enhance overall connectivity.

Dhakal also mentioned about the need for the smooth operation of existing airports for landlocked countries like Nepal and urged all member nations of BIMSTEC to foster discussions around enhancing regional air connectivity.

The FNCCI President added that trade facilitation was the backbone of sustainable development, and we must simplify and harmonise trade procedures among BIMSTEC states to reap the benefits.

He said that by improving our trade processes we will be able to enhance our competitiveness in the global market and while important initiatives have been undertaken in the BIMSTEC region, there is still much to be done. Dhakal encouraged dialogue among all the member states of BIMSTEC to explore solutions.             

 

Nepal ready to welcome foreign investors: FNCCI President Dhakal

Dhakal also highlighted Nepal's readiness to welcome foreign investors and the importance of trade facilitation for regional economic growth.

President Dhakal emphasised that recent economic progress in Nepal, supported by significant amendments in eight investment-related laws and the establishment of a Bilateral Investment Agreement Framework, has created a favourable environment for foreign investment.

He invited investors to explore opportunities in sectors such as tourism, hydropower, education, and information technology.

He said that increased trade and investment are essential for economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction.

Dhakal cited the World Trade Organization's suggestion that implementing the Trade Facilitation Agreement could reduce global trade costs by an average of 14.3 per cent.

He called for enhanced cross-border linkages and trade infrastructure among BIMSTEC states to tap this potential.

He proposed improving transport infrastructure, including the BIMSTEC highway and railway systems, and developing a railway project parallel to Nepal's East-West Highway.

He emphasised on enhancing border infrastructure to simplify customs procedures.

The BIMSTEC Business Summit 2024 was organised by Ministry of External Affairs of the government of India in association with Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) to provide a platform for discussing key issues and opportunities for promoting trade facilitation and economic growth in the region.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 8 August 2024.        

Secretary Lamsal off to Delhi to attend BIMSTEC Retreat

 Kathmandu, July 10

Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal left for New Delhi on Wednesday, leading a Nepali delegation to the Second BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ Retreat scheduled for 11-12 July in the Indian capital.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) of Nepal, during the Retreat, discussions would be held on further strengthening regional cooperation and partnerships in agreed areas of mutual interests and complementarities within the BIMSTEC framework.  

On the occasion, the Foreign Ministers and Heads of Delegations of the BIMSTEC Member States are scheduled to pay a joint call on Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi.

BIMSTEC is a 7-member regional organisation that includes Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

It was formed in 1997 with the aim of promoting multifaceted technical and economic cooperation among the countries of the Bay of Bengal region, according to the BIMSTEC Secretariat.

Foreign Secretary is accompanied by a senior official of the Ministry and will return to Kathmandu on 13 July, Saturday.

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 11 July 2024.        

Regional forums will be helpful to project national interests: FM Saud

Kathmandu, Dec. 28

Meaningful affiliation with the regional organisations will be helpful for Nepal to face the challenges it is facing as a landlocked and an underdeveloped country, said Minister for Foreign Affairs NP Saud.

Speaking at a programme organised by the Policy Research Institute (PRI) on the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) on Thursday in Kathmandu, he stated that Nepal's foreign policy is to promote national interests through the regional forums.

The PRI organised the programme upon the request of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"Accordingly, Nepal has been active in enhancing mutual cooperation in the economic, social and cultural fields by means of organisations in the Asia region such as the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), BIMSTEC and Asian Cooperation Dialogue," said FM Saud, adding that Nepal has been giving importance to the BIMSTEC region which connects the countries of South Asia and South East Asia.

It's been 26 years since the establishment of the BIMSTEC. During the initial stage, the forum was used as a movement of cooperation in the areas of mutual interest of the member countries, said FM Saud.

The legal, institutional and policy structures are in the process of being prepared after the discussions held during the fourth summit of BIMSTEC held in Kathmandu in 2018.

The areas of BIMSTEC cooperation have been restructured into seven sectors of cooperation, with each member country taking a leading role in one area. Out of the restructured areas like trade and investment, agriculture, tourism, climate change, security, science and technology, people-to-people relations, Nepal is leading the people-to-people relations sector.

FM Saud said that he participated in the BIMSTEC Foreign Ministerial Retreat held in Bangkok, Thailand in July this year. On that occasion, the foreign ministers of the seven BIMSTEC member countries collectively expressed their commitment to develop BIMSTEC as a strong organisation.

"In order to further strengthen and institutionalize BIMSTEC, an Eminent Persons' Group (EPG) of nine eminent persons has been formed to offer suggestions regarding the course of action to be taken by the BIMSTEC in the future to make cooperation and collaboration more effective," he said.

The suggestions of the EPG are expected to make BIMSTEC more dynamic, result-oriented and effective. 

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 29 December 2023.  

Efficient infrastructure stressed to foster intra-regional trade in BIMSTEC

Kathamandu, June 13

President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI) Chandra Prasad Dhakal has said that there was a need for effective and efficient infrastructure to foster intra-regional trade and investment in the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation).

Speaking at a Special Plenary Session of the International Trade Forum during BIMSTEC Business Conclave in Calcutta, India on Tuesday, he said, "To foster regional trade and investment, there is a need for an efficient and effective infrastructure such as land, waterway, rail, air and digital connectivity. We need to jointly invest to improve the existing connectivity infrastructure and  build new ones for better connectivity."

Similarly, enhancing physical infrastructure, such as roads, ports, and logistics facilities was essential for the efficient movement of goods within the region, he said, adding that joint efforts could be made to develop and upgrade infrastructure to support the development of regional value chains.

"Promoting cross-border energy cooperation, including the development of energy infrastructure and efficient energy trade can support the growth of energy-intensive industries within regional value chains. For example, Nepal- Bangladesh and India have been working on the hydropower transmission lines, to export electricity produced in Nepal, to Bangladesh, via India. The success of such a project can be expanded to other BIMSTEC nations and beyond also," Dhakal said.

According to him, in addition to connectivity infrastructure, BIMSTEC countries need to remove and reduce the various non-tariff barriers to trade for making regional trade and investment smooth.

BIMSTEC nations can work towards aligning their trade and investment policies to create conducive environment for regional value chains. This can involve streamlining customs procedures, simplifying regulations and promoting investment facilitation measures.

He said that the regional connectivity and free trade agreement would also help attract foreign direct investment (FDI) in the member countries.

FNCCI president Dhakal also floated the idea for the formation of BIMSTEC Business Forum so as to foster intra-regional trade and investment in BIMSTEC.

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 14 June 2023.  

Business representatives hold meeting with Myanmar envoy

 Kathmandu, Mar 21

Nepal Foreign Trade Association (NFTA) and Nepal-Myanmar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) jointly held a meeting with Ambassador of Myanmar to Nepal U Sein Oo and  discussed about further strengthening diplomatic and commercial relations between the two countries and the import and export of goods from both countries.

During the meeting, Vinod Kumar Sethia, President of NFTA, said that they were planning to cooperate with business and government agencies of Myanmar for the export of the Nepali goods.

He said that they requested the ambassador for business relations with Myanmar with the purpose of strengthening business, cultural, tourism promotion and people-to-people relations.

Stating that Nepal and Myanmar have been culturally and religiously connected for the past six decades, he urged Myanmar businesspeople to visit Nepal and find business opportunities.

"The government of Nepal is working firmly in the direction of creating a business-oriented, investment-friendly environment through various policy, structural and legal reforms," he said, "The government has also introduced new market-friendly incentives and policies to make Nepal a profitable business destination."

Shiva Kumar Agrawal, President of NMCCI, requested to further strengthen the decades-long relationship by enhancing business and investment between the two countries.

He requested the Myanmar government to operate at least one flight to Nepal every week for the promotion of tourism. He said that this will maintain harmonious relations between the two countries and it will also be easy for tourists from Myanmar to visit Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha.

Similarly, Agarwal informed that the Nepali delegation is going to visit the businesses and industries of Myanmar in near future.

In that meeting, Ratan Kedia, vice president of NFTA, Samudrapar Paithari Sangh, and Jayant Agarwal, member of the working committee, expressed their views on the issue of increasing foreign trade.

NFTA's working committee member, Jayant Agarwal, who is also the chairman of Roundtable International, asked the ambassador to organise an interaction programme with the young entrepreneurs of Myanmar.

In response, Ambassador Oo stated that he is positive about the demands made by the Nepali businesspeople and expressed his commitment to talking about these issues with the Myanmar government and the entrepreneurs.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 22 March 2023.      

Foreign Secretary calls for meaningful regional cooperation

 Kathmandu, Mar. 9

Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) Bharat Raj Paudyal has called for meaningful regional cooperation to deal with the defining challenges of our time such as, climate change, energy crisis, food insecurity, and the large-scale pandemics.

He pointed out to the need for regional cooperation on critical development and climate issues while addressing the 19^th Ministerial Meeting of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) which was held virtually in Bangkok, Thailand, on Thursday.

Paudyal is leading Nepali delegation to the meeting.

Recalling the fourth BIMSTEC Summit held in Kathmandu in 2018, which aptly prioritised institution building of BIMSTEC, Foreign Secretary Paudyal underlined the need for conscious, credible, and concerted actions to achieve more resilient, prosperous, and sustainable Bay of Bengal region, the MoFA informed in a statement.

He also updated on the progress achieved in the 'People-to-People Contact' sector that is being led by Nepal. He also informed the meeting on the efforts made towards creating platforms for people-to-people engagements in BIMSTEC region, such as the parliamentarians and Speakers forum, and separate forums of entrepreneurs, universities, and researchers, etc.  

According to the MoFA, the meeting endorsed several important instruments including the BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision 2030, Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation, Rules of Procedures for BIMSTEC Mechanisms, Terms of Reference for Eminent Persons' Group, Inclusion of Blue Economy, Mountain Economy and Poverty Alleviation under the purview of re-constituted sectors/sub-sectors of BIMSTEC Cooperation.

A Joint Statement was issued at the end of the Ministerial Meeting.

The 24^th Ministerial Meeting of BIMSTEC will be held in Thailand in November 2023 as a prelude to the Sixth BIMSTEC Summit.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 10 March 2023.

Nepal calls for early operalisation of BIMSTEC tourism fund

Kathmandu, Mar. 8

Nepal has underlined the need for an early operationalisation of BIMSTEC Tourism Fund and Tourism Information Centre.

Addressing the 23^rd Session of the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Senior Officials' Meeting, Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), Bharat Raj Paudyal also highlighted the plans of action prepared by Nepal on Culture and Tourism sub-sectors.

Nepal is the lead country in the People-to-People contact sector and Culture, Tourism and People-to-People Contact sub-sectors in the BIMSTEC. Paudyal shared the progress made in this sector led by Nepal, the MoFA said in a statement.

As the leader of the Nepali delegation, he also conveyed Nepal’s concurrence for the inclusion of poverty alleviation as sub-sector under the People-to-People Contact Sector.

The 23^rd Session of BIMSTEC's Senior Officials' Meeting was held virtually in Bangkok, Thailand on Wednesday.

The fifth Summit of BIMSTEC held in Colombo, Sri Lanka last year had reconstituted the areas of cooperation under seven sectors, each of them being led by a Member State.

According to the MoFA, the meeting endorsed and recommended the Rules of Procedures for BIMSTEC Mechanisms, Terms of Reference for Eminent Persons’ Group on the Future Direction of BIMSTEC, Concept Note and Text of the BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision 2030, among others, for approval and adoption by the 19^th BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 9 March 2023.

BIMSTEC Energy Minsters agree to form coordination committee for grid connection

 Kathmandu, Apr. 20

The Energy Ministers of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multilateral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) have agreed to prepare a master plan on 'grid connection', facilitate energy trade and set up an energy trade centre.

The 'Grid Interconnection Coordination Committee' will be set up to implement the grid interconnection and prepare the necessary action plan, said the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation (MoEWRI) citing the BIMSTEC statement.

The third meeting of the BIMSTEC Energy Ministers organised virtually on Wednesday was chaired by Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Pampha Bhusal.

The meeting agreed to formulate a master plan for the BIMSTEC Grid Interconnection Coordination Committee with the assistance of the Asian Development Bank. The meeting also agreed to develop policy and tariff system for energy trade. The BIMSTEC nations have agreed to develop a group of experts to plan cooperation on the modality of energy trade.

In her speech, Minister Bhusal maintained that the BIMSTEC Grid Interconnection Master Plan Study, to be conducted with the technical support from ADB, is expected to identify different transmission projects to be built in the matching timeframes with the power generation projects planned in different BIMSTEC countries.

"A rigorously thought-out plan will be critical to facilitate the intra-regional power trade and enhanced energy cooperation," she said.

Similarly, BIMSTEC Energy Centre will be established for energy related research and to strengthen experience sharing and cooperation among member countries. For that, it has been mentioned in the statement that master plan and action plan will be developed, structure will be prepared and necessary funds will be managed for its operation.

The establishment of BIMSTEC Energy Centre was envisaged during the first BIMSTEC Energy Ministerial Meeting held in India in 2005.

Energy Minister Bhusal suggested increasing the use of clean and renewable energy.

Stressing on the need for adequate financial investment in energy promotion, she said that technology transfer should be promoted in the BIMSTEC.

She stated that the 3E nexus between energy, environment and economy is remarkably vital for achieving sustainable economic growth in the BIMSTEC region. "Over the past decades, we have been conventionally following the course of fossil fuel-based energy production and consumption. This trend needs to be changed as much as possible since it has enormously added stress on our environment," she said.

Minister Bhusal said that the agreement carries high importance for Nepal since the country accords high importance to clean energy, energy cooperation among the members in the region and cross-border energy trade.

"Nepal has a huge hydropower potential. Our hydropower export to the Member States of the BIMSTEC will benefit not only Nepal but also the entire region for reducing non-renewable energy generation and providing sustainability to the system," she stated.

However, most of the energy trade in our region is bilateral in nature. The existing intra-regional energy trade is limited to electricity and petroleum products.

"To diversify this trade, we must chart out short-, medium-, and longer-term power trading projects that can gradually ensure transition to renewable energy production with emphasis on achieving the goals of a carbon-neutral economy," said Minister Bhusal.

Likewise, addressing the meeting on behalf of Nepal, Secretary at the Ministry of Energy Devendra Karki said that progress was being made in energy cooperation with the neighboring countries. He expressed the belief that mutual trust, cooperation and partnership among the BIMSTEC nations would help in adapting and upgrading the development efforts of the member countries.

According to him, 93 per cent of Nepal's population has access to electricity. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 21 April 2022. 

FM Dr. Khadka stresses on BIMSTEC revitalisation

 Kathmandu, Mar. 29

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Narayan Khadka stressed the need of renewed commitment and concerted actions from all member states to revitalize the BIMSTEC process.

Addressing the Eighteenth Ministerial Meeting, convened Tuesday in Colombo, Sri Lanka as the preceding meeting of the fifth BIMSTEC Summit, Dr. Khadka further emphasised the need to work together to uplift people’s lives and livelihoods, create equal opportunities and realize the aspirations of peaceful and prosperous Bay of Bengal region.

According to a statement issued by the Embassy of Nepal, Colombo, FM Dr. Khadka underscored Nepal’s commitment to constructively contribute to the BIMSTEC process for ensuring that it delivers better for the peoples of the region.

Later the same day, the Foreign Minister called on Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa at the latter’s office in Colombo.

The PM expressed satisfaction on the state of cordial and friendly relations between the two countries and expressed hope that the bilateral cooperation would be further strengthened in the days to come, read the statement.  

FM Dr. Khadka appreciated Sri Lanka’s commitment to the BIMSTEC process. He also expressed Nepal’s willingness to work closely with Sri Lanka to enhance cooperation in the areas of mutual interests.

On the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Ministerial, he held separate meetings with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Don Pramudwinai, External Affairs Minister of India Dr. S. Jaishankar, and Foreign Minister of Bangladesh A. K. Abdul Momen.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba will virtually address the summit on Wednesday.

He will lead the Nepali delegation to the summit. The delegation includes Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Narayan Khadka, Principal Personal Secretary to the Prime Minister Bhan Bahadur Deuba, Chief Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi, Foreign Secretary Bharat Raj Paudyal and senior officials from Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Earlier on Monday, Ghanshyam Bhandari, Joint Secretary and Head of Regional Organisation Division at the Ministry, along with his delegation participated in the Twenty-Second BIMSTEC Senior Officials’ Meeting physically.

The Fifth BIMSTEC Summit and its preceding meetings are being held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on March 28-30 in a hybrid mode. The theme of the Summit this year is ‘BIMSTEC – Towards a Resilient Region, Prosperous Economies, Healthy Peoples’.

FM Khadka will return to Kathmandu on March 31.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 30 March 2022. 

PM to address BIMSTEC summit on March 30

Kathmandu, Mar. 25

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba will virtually address the Fifth Summit of Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) to be held in Sri Lanka on March 30.

The Nepali delegation led by the Prime Minister will include Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Narayan Khadka, Principal Personal Secretary to the Prime Minister Bhan Bahadur Deuba, Chief Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi, Foreign Secretary Bharat Raj Paudyal and senior officials from Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

FM Dr. Khadka will participate in-person in the Eighteenth BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting to be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on March 29, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) in a statement on Friday.

Dr. Khadka is flying to Colombo on March 28.

On the sidelines, he will also hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from BIMSTEC member states.

Similarly, the Nepali delegation led by Ghanshyam Bhandari, Joint Secretary and Head of Regional Organisation Division at the Ministry, will participate in the Twenty-Second BIMSTEC Senior Officials’ Meeting physically on March 28.

The Fifth BIMSTEC Summit and its preceding meetings are being held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on March 28-30 in a hybrid mode. The theme of the Summit this year is ‘BIMSTEC – Towards a Resilient Region, Prosperous Economies, Healthy Peoples’.

FM Khadka will return to Kathmandu on March 31.

 

Meanwhile, Dr. Khadka addressed the Ministerial Meeting of the Champion Countries of the Global Compact on Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) held today in Rabat, Morocco, in hybrid format, said the ministry.

In his pre-recorded address, he underlined Nepal’s commitment to GCM and highlighted that partnership and cooperation with sending and destination countries, regional consultative groups and other entities are indispensable to maximising migration's contribution to securing mutual development benefits.

Minister Dr. Khadka said that Nepal looks forward to working with the international community for the realisation of the vision of safe, orderly, and regular migration.

   Published in The Rising Nepal dialy on 26 March 2022. 

Lekphell calls on President Bhandari, PM Deuba

 Kathmandu, Jan. 5

Secretary General of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Tenzin Lekphell Wednesday discussed about enhancing cooperation among the member countries with President Bidya Devi Bhandari.

Lekphall called on the President at the latter’s office  in Sheetal Niwas on Wednesday.

According to a press statement issued by the Office of the President, the two talked about making the BIMSTEC process more robust and effective and enhancing cooperation for the same.

High government officials were present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, Lekphall also called on Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba at his residence in Baluwatar Wednesday morning. Prime Minister Deuba and Lekphell talked about furthering the progress made in the BIMSTEC initiative so far.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Secretary General called on Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Narayan Khadka where the latter stressed the need for ensuring the fifth summit of BIMSTEC is held this to realise the regional aspirations.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement the other day that Dr. Khadka said that the fifth summit would build on the progress made so far.

Earlier on Tuesday, Lekphell paid courtesy calls on Minister of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Pampha Bhusal, and Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Prem Bahadur Ale.

He also called on Foreign Secretary Bharat Raj Paudyal and Secretary of Commerce and Supplies Dinesh Bhattarai. Matters such as trade, investment, tourism and people-to-people contact as well as broader issues of Nepal-BIMSTEC cooperation were discussed in the meetings.

Lekphell is on a four-day introductory visit to Nepal from 3-6 January 2022.

There are seven members in the initiative: Nepal, India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Thailand, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 6 January 2022. 

BIMSTEC Secretary-General in Nepal on a 4-day visit

Kathmandu, Jan. 4

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Narayan Khadka has said that there is a need to ensure the fifth summit of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) this year to realise the regional aspirations.

In a meeting with Secretary-General of BIMSTEC Tenzin Lekphell at his office on Tuesday afternoon, he expressed his hopes that the upcoming summit would provide platforms for important breakthroughs for greater regional cooperation.

"He underlined the need to ensure that the fifth summit to be held in 2022 builds on the progress made thus far and provides important breakthroughs towards realizing the regional aspirations," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said in a statement.

Stating that the Fourth BIMSTEC Summit held in Kathmandu was an important milestone in streamlining the areas of cooperation and institutional strengthening of the organization, the Secretary-General appreciated Nepal’s contributions in advancing the BIMSTEC process.

FM Dr. Khadka commended the Secretary-General for his leadership and expressed Nepal’s commitment to contribute constructively to help BIMSTEC make further advances. 

Both sides assessed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on economies and societies in the region and underlined the imperative to work in closer cooperation through BIMSTEC framework.

Earlier today, Lekphell paid courtesy calls on Minister of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Pampha Bhusal, and Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Prem Bahadur Ale.

He also called on Foreign Secretary Bharat Raj Paudyal and Secretary of Commerce and Supplies Dinesh Bhattarai. Matters such as trade, investment, tourism and people-to-people contact as well as broader issues of Nepal-BIMSTEC cooperation were discussed in these meetings.

The Secretary-General is scheduled to call on President Bidya Devi Bhandari and Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba on Wednesday.

Lekphell is on a four-day exploratory visit to Nepal from 3-6 January, 2022. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 5 January 2022. 

Create Youth Network

South Asia, perhaps, is the region in the world that has the poorest network among youth. Asia and the Pacific is the world’s youngest region with 45 per cent of the global youth, about 700 million, living here. More than 20 per cent of population is youth in South Asia which makes 26 per cent of the world population. 

But, the youth in Asia and the Pacific are struggling with multiple problems like unemployment, poor quality of education and health hazards. A United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) study had found that only 13 per cent South Asian youth were completing their higher education. High rate of poverty in the region has created barriers for the youth, especially female in pursuing higher education.

Youth in the region are being pulled down by religious and superstitious norms, poor access to communication and modern technology, and strong networking mechanism. But, the biggest challenge for them is their negligible presence in decision-making. Any nation can feel young with the inclusion of youth in the development and policy-making process. It will help in developing youth-targeted development programmes and achieve inclusive economic and social prosperity. 

Currently, Nepal is in a position to reap demographic dividends. If the country failed to capitalise on the dynamic young population within the next three decades, the potential energy will be lost and the country will never get the same opportunity. Nepal’s neighbouring countries also have the same situation.

Therefore, the government should create enough opportunities in the country to engage youth in development, economic and social activities. The government is going to announce Prime Minister’s Employment Programme from the next year with an aim of employing more than 100,000 youth in a year. However, the past experiments with employment generation through government instruments such as Youth and Small Entrepreneur Self-Employment Fund have come a cropper. 

About 500,000 youth enter the labour market in the country every year. The government and the private sector as well as the academia should collaborate to create skilled human resource, increase productivity of the labourers and absorb the youth in the domestic market. Society and the market can get benefits from the skilled foreign-returnee workers.

To boost the morale of youth, strong youth network and exchange programmes should be implemented at national, regional and international level. Regional associations like the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) and SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry can play crucial role in materialising this concept. Establishing regional youth mechanism can be a long-term initiative in inspiring youth to learn about diverse cultures, languages, lifestyles and social ecosystem in their neighbouring countries. 

Separate forums for students, young politicians, entrepreneurs and women can be established. Governments in the region should work together in facilitating hassle-free movement and cooperation of youth.

The fourth summit of BIMSTEC in August this year has agreed to establish regional forums for universities and academia, research and cultural organisations and parliamentarians. Member countries should exhibit their readiness to materialise it at the earliest. But, the South Asian trend show that there is no political will power to empower the youth, and the governments and political parties are more in exploiting their power to fulfil their vested political interest and push forward their agenda. Political parties mobilise youth during political campaigns and elections but completely forget their presence or importance afterwards.

Likewise, no effective collaboration among the government, private sector, civil society and academia has been seen yet. As people in a developing society look towards the government to fulfil their individual or social interest, government has an important role to play in empowering the youth and enhancing their capacity with more inclusion in the decision-making process. Similarly, the government should forge collaborations with the governments in the region and beyond.

Published in The Rising Nepal on 22 November 2018. 

Failed Regional Mechanisms

Nepal in BIMSTEC and SAARC by Indra Adhikari (Editor). Publisher: Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA), Kathmandu. ISBN: 978-9937-9274-0-6. July 2018. Pages 168. Price Rs. 350.

South Asia is the region with the largest population which makes it the biggest prospective market in the world. It is the young region with the largest share of youth globally. But, this is the region with the poorest people, terrorism, epidemic as well as natural disasters like draught, floods, earthquake, glacial lake outburst and many more.

Similarly, it is the least integrated region in the world with just 5-6 per cent intra-regional business. And the largest country in South Asia, India, has troubled relation with Pakistan and border disputes with almost every nation around it. Most of the regional agenda are overshadowed by the disputes between India and Pakistan.

This characteristic has clearly reflected in the only regional mechanism in the region, the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation). The SAARC Summit is in limbo due to soured Indo-Pak relations and the regional body is almost in coma with zero activities in the last couple of years.

To ring out Pakistan, India has been promoting another regional mechanism called the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) that includes all the member nations of the SAARC except Pakistan, Afghanistan and the Maldives. 

There is another effort as well – when Pakistan expressed its reservations and denied signing the SAARC Motor Vehicle Agreement, Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) sub-regional network is also being promoted with an aim to promote free vehicular movement among the four neighbours.

Meanwhile, India’s interest in the south-east Asia was growing – it had adopted ‘Look East’ policy in 1993 - while Thailand had adopted ‘Look West’ policy. 

Both the growing economies needed additional market, thus the so far neglected BIMSTEC suddenly got the limelight. Many foreign policy experts say that the Myanmar factor is the most vital factor in Sino-Indian geo-politics as it is where India meets China and BIMSTEC is a sub-regional innovation to gain leverage over Myanmar.

However, for Nepal, BIMSTEC was supposed to provide an entry into the south-east Asia through several connectivity projects and linkages in transport, trade, investment, energy and tourism. Diplomat Madhu Raman Acharya, in the book ‘Nepal in BIMSTEC and SAARC’ published by the Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA) says, in 2004, Nepal joined the grouping because it did not want to miss the train. Unfortunately, the train did not move. 

He has termed the organisation as ‘multi-sectoral’ in principle and ‘non-starter’ in terms of achievement. Former Finance Minister Madhukar SJB Rana writes that the BIMSTEC is clearly under-performing and, relatively, it is in poorer shape than progress in SAARC or BBIN.

Similarly, though it dreamt of becoming a South Asian Economic Union, SAARC has miserably failed to remove trade barriers and promote intra-regional trade. Economist Prof. Bishwambher Pyakuryal observes that about 53 per cent of the total intra-regional import trade was excluded from the tariff liberalization programme. 

SAARC has been characterized by mistrust and misunderstanding between the member states. SAARC was established in 1985 and BIMSTEC in 1998 but till now there are just four BIMSTEC summits and 18 SAARC summits.

Though the book is a collection of papers and comments presented in the conferences organised by the IFA, it gives deep insights into the regional mechanisms, their weaknesses and recommendations to revitalise them. The experts have also offered their suggestions for Nepal’s role.

The book includes papers on BIMSTEC by Rana and Acharya and papers on SAARC by Pyakuryal and Acharya, remarks from Foreign Secretary Shankar Das Bairagi, Economist Prof. Madan Kumar Dahal and keynote address by the former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal. 

Although some of the information in the book is repeated, it is worth reading.

@ModDhakal

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 2 November 2018.