BIMSTEC can be dynamic engine of growth, development: PM Dahal; BRICS summit concludes with Goa declaration

Krishna Adhikari / Goa (India), Oct 16: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said the BIMSTEC, a region with over 1.5 billion of population and combined GDP of US $2.5 trillion, can be a dynamic engine of growth and development.

Delivering a statement at the BIMSTEC Leaders’ Retreat in Goa, India, on 16 October, Prime Minister Dahal said development potentials of this grouping are huge. The potential of this grouping cannot be unleashed without advancing integration. The engine of growth and development cannot perform in full capacity without intensifying cooperation, he added, stressing that the BIMSTEC provides that vital platform for integration and cooperation.

The PM stressed the connectivity in all forms with topmost priority. For a landlocked country like ours the importance of physical connectivity, among others, cannot be overemphasized, he stated.

“BIMSTEC member states are connected by cultures, history and geography. This commonality provides a strong foundation and motivation for cooperation. BIMSTEC connects two vibrant regions of Asia, South East Asia and South Asia,” he said.

According to the PM, energy cooperation should be directed towards ensuring energy security for all of BIMSTEC members. Region’s diverse sources of energy could be harnessed to establish a reliable energy mix for the region.

Nepal offers huge renewable energy sources in terms of hydropower

Moreover, the PM said Nepal offers huge renewable energy sources in terms of hydropower. Cooperation on trade, investment and other matters on economic agenda must advance urgently. Without progress on core areas, deeper integration will prove to be an elusive quest, he emphasized.

“We need to expedite negotiations for concluding agreements on trade in goods, trade in services, mutual assistance in customs matters, among others. We need to level up the playing field to ensure that opportunities and fruits of development will be shared by all the member states. We need to put agriculture on high priority in our cooperation framework. Nepal, as the lead country on Poverty Alleviation, remains committed to bring tangible progress in this sector. Establishment of BIMSTEC Buddhist Circuit and BIMSTEC Heritage Sites will be important initiatives to promote people-to-people contacts and tourism. Progress in technological and human resources development is equally critical,” he mentioned.

PM Dahal argued that this region is however not free from challenges, and multitude of problems- terrorism, growing phenomenon of non-communicable diseases; spread of pandemic diseases; increased food insecurity, adverse impact of natural disasters and climate change. “Our collective will and concerted effort can overwhelm these problems. Strengthened partnership and collaboration can overcome these hurdles,” he stressed.

According to him, in the last two decades of BIMSTEC journey, some progress has been made. However, the fact to be acknowledged is– the progress has not matched potentials; progress has remained well below our expectation.

Clear vision for the next 20 years essential

“Responsibility is ours: to overcome the causes of inadequate performance and accelerate the process of integration; to make this region a region of development, peace and prosperity; and to decimate poverty, hunger and backwardness. Responsibility is ours: to make this region a region of initiatives as well as achievements; and to ensure simultaneous widening and deepening of cooperation. We must, therefore, set a clear vision for the next 20 years or so. Our vision must be underpinned by our firm commitment and concrete actions. We need a realistic and outcome oriented action plan to give practical meaning to our vision. It is imperative that we constitute an Eminent Persons Group for this purpose and devise our vision in line with the UN 2030 Agenda including Sustainable Development Goals, ” he underscored.

The PM expressed confidence that the outcome document of the Retreat would contribute immensely to the substantive preparation of the Fourth BIMSTEC Summit in 2017, for which Nepal is eagerly waiting to welcome the BIMSTEC members in Kathmandu.

BRICS summit concludes with Goa declaration

Meanwhile, the BRICS Summit has concluded on Sunday by issuing a 109-point Goa declaration.

The BRICS member states mentioned that various sectors of cooperation with BIMSTEC would be explored. Similarly, peace, development, and prosperity would be further enhanced and joint efforts made on trade, commerce and investment among the member states.

Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa are the member states of BRICS. The declaration has mentioned the outreach conference with BIMSTEC as an opportunity to reinvigorate the BRICS-BIMSTEC relations. The BIMSTEC has the members as India, Thailand, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan.

The BRICS Summit also condemned all sorts of terrorism and the recent attack in India. The BRICS-BIMSTEC outreach conference was held after the issuance of the BRICS declarations. RSS