BIMSTEC Centre for energy cooperation will be inaugurated in India this year: Secretary General Tenzin Lekphell

The BIMSTEC Energy Centre which will act as the Secretariat for BIMSTEC energy cooperation will be formally inaugurated in India later this year, said BIMSTEC Secretary General Tenzin Lekphell in Dhaka on Tuesday. Addressing the High Commissioners, Ambassadors and dignitaries at the BIMSTEC headquarter on the occasion of the 26th BIMSTEC Day programme in Dhaka Tenzin Lekphell said that the three key components to realise intergrid connection namely the BIMSTEC Energy Master Plan; BIMSTEC Policy for Transmission of Electricity; and the Policy for Trade, Exchange of Electricity and Tariff Mechanism – are nearing completion.

Emphasising the importance of connectivity for regional cooperation, BIMSTEC Secretary General said that the BIMSTEC Maritime cooperation agreement endorsed by the 19th ministerial meeting held in March this year will be signed during the upcoming sixth summit in Thailand.

Secretary General Lekphell informed the distinguished gathering of diplomats, senior officials of the Bangladesh government and others that the upcoming 6th summit in Thailand is expected to adopt a ‘BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision 2030’ to serve as the guiding document and guiding principle with common aspirations of all seven member countries to make BIMSTEC an open, resilient and prosperous regional organisation.

Bangladesh State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam in his address as the Chief Guest called BIMSTEC one of the most significant regional forums. He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina holds special affection for the BIMSTEC regional forum. Pursuing BIMSTEC integration for rapid economic and social progress for the peoples of this region is one of the top priorities of her Government’s Foreign Policy, said the Minister.

Shahriar Alam said that the Bay of Bengal region has a tremendous amount of untapped and unexplored potential for growth and development. He urged all the stakeholders for the earliest conclusion of all constituent agreements and MoUs pertaining to the BIMSTEC FTA.