Emblem of BIMSTEC

Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multisectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation

Formation	6 June 1997
Official website	http://www.bimstec.org

The Bay of Bengal Initiative for MultiSectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is an international organisation involving a group of countries in South Asia and South East Asia. The member nations of this group are : Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal.

History

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The organisation was formed in Bangkok, Thailand, on 6 June, 1997. Initially, its name was BIST-EC (Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand Economic Cooperation). At that time, Myanmar was an observer, but later joined the organization as a full member at a special ministerial meeting held in Bangkok on 22 December, 1997. Consequently, the name of the organisation was changed to BIMST-EC. Nepal was granted observer status by the second Ministerial Meeting in Dhaka, Bangladesh in December 1998. Later, full membership has been granted to Nepal and Bhutan in 2003. During the first summit in Bangkok on 31 July, 2004, the organisation's name was changed to its current name.

Plans and Activities

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The seven nation countries have endorsed a plan for a free trade pact by 2017 -- while the three most advanced countries of the area (India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand) are committed to trade liberalization by 2012. ^*

See also

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• ASEAN
• SAARC

External links

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• BIMSTEC official site
• Articles related to BIMSTEC

Foreign relations of Bhutan | Foreign relations of Bangladesh | Foreign relations of India | Foreign relations of Nepal | Foreign relations of Pakistan | Foreign relations of Sri Lanka | International organizations | 1997 establishments