Bangkok, April 5 (AseanAll) — Myanmar Chairman of the State Administration Council, Prime Minister, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing participated in the BIMSTEC Summit at Shangri-La Hotel in Bangkok of Thailand on April 4, 2025,according to Myanmar News Agency.
Photo source: Thai government website
The meeting was also attended by Myanmar SAC Joint Secretary General Ye Win Oo, Union Ministers U Than Swe and Admiral Moe Aung and senior officials.
Rotating Chair of BIMSTEC Prime Minister of Thailand Ms Paetongtarm Shinawatra welcomed Min Aung Hlaing and Heads of government from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka individually and had documentary photos taken with them.
Photo source: Thai government website
The BIMSTEC Rotating Chair Thai Prime Minister delivered an opening address. During the speech, they all observed a one-minute moment of silence for the victims of the powerful earthquake that struck Myanmar and Thailand on 28 March.
Next, Heads of Government from BIMSTEC Member States delivered speeches.
In his speech, Min Aung Hlaing said that he recognized the leadership of the BIMSTEC Rotating Chair Thailand for drafting the BIMSTEC’s Bangkok Vision 2030 to be approved by the summit.
It is important to promote trade and investment development in building a prosperous BIMSTEC. Although they all signed the Framework Agreement on the BIMSTEC Free Trade Area (FTA) in 2004, the establishment of the FTA is still a long way off. Establishing the FTA would help reduce trade barriers and facilitate smoother trade in goods and services, which would significantly contribute to the economic development of member countries. Therefore, to fully benefit from the FTA, we must accelerate the negotiations and conclusion of its related agreements.
Furthermore, to facilitate trade transactions and reduce dependency on foreign currencies, it is necessary to explore and develop digital cross-border payment systems and regional currencies that can be used for trade. Currently, to enhance the speed and efficiency of payment processes in border trade operations, Myanmar has implemented direct payments using the Baht-Kyat for trade with Thailand, and Rupee-Kyat direct payments for trade with India.
The India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway Project will greatly enhance regional connectivity. Myanmar welcomes the signing of the maritime transport cooperation agreement, which is expected to promote regional maritime connectivity, trade, and investment in port infrastructure.
Energy cooperation is another important pillar for regional prosperity. By prioritizing the BIMSTEC power grid interconnection project, energy resources can be shared and utilized efficiently, which in turn can help reduce costs.
As the leading country in the BIMSTEC agriculture and food security sector, Myanmar has taken the initiative to draft both the BIMSTEC Agricultural Cooperation Action Plan (2023-2027) and the BIMSTEC Fisheries and Aquaculture Cooperation Action Plan. Myanmar urges all member states to effectively implement these action plans in order to address regional food security challenges.
Therefore, the BIMSTEC member countries would like to invite investments in agriculture- and livestock-based industries within their own countries. They also wish to express their gratitude to India for providing BIMSTEC agricultural scholarships to member countries at appropriate opportunities.
Due to a recent powerful earthquake centred in Myanmar, some neighbouring countries were also affected. As a result of the earthquake, up to the present time, there have been 3,301 deaths, 4,792 injuries, and 221 people reported missing. In facing and addressing the challenges posed by natural disasters, it is necessary to enhance regional cooperation.
It is necessary to cooperate in combatting the growing telecom frauds, especially at both the regional and international levels. Myanmar is actively cooperating with neighbouring countries in efforts to eliminate online fraud. Concerning online scam operations, victims of human trafficking are being repatriated to their respective countries. Since such scams can seriously harm the interests of the public, our member countries must maintain continuous and long-term collaboration in fighting online fraud. Myanmar is pleased to share that it successfully hosted the 4th BIMSTEC National Security Chiefs Meeting from 24 to 26 July 2024.
To portray a transparent and clear image of BIMSTEC, all member states must enhance people-to-people engagement based on our shared history, culture, social, and economic connections. However, it is also essential to have a clear understanding of the historical background of Myanmar’s Rakhine region. There has never been an ethnic group known as “Rohingya” in the history of Myanmar. During the British colonial period, people from the Bengal region were brought in by the British colonialists to work in the agricultural sector. Therefore, those who migrated from the Bengal region are referred to as Bengalis. This is supported by solid historical evidence.
