Newmai News Network
IMPHAL, FEBRUARY 8
Connectivity and agriculture sector are the priority elements on the objectives of BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation), according to Sanjay Bhattacharyya, Joint Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, who spoke at the international summit on BIMSTEC held at Hotel Classic in Imphal today. Speakers from Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Thailand and India participated in the conference held under the theme “Focusing Fourteen Pillars of Co-operations” which was organized by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) under the aegis of Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.
Dr. Nitin Kumar Triparthi, Editor-in-chief, Internal Journal of Geoinformatics, Leader ICT, Asian Institute of Technology who attended as a resource person spoke on the topic “Cooperation on sharing of Remote Sensing Data on Agriculture, Environment and Disaster Management”.
Kavita Iyengar, Economist, Indian Resident Mission, Asian Development Bank (ADB) spoke at the occasion highlighting on the topic “Unlocking economic potential through BIMSTEC transport connectivity”.
According to Kavita Iyengar, at the 51st meeting of the Bay of Bengal initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Working Group in July 2005, member countries expressed that a BIMSTEC Transport Infrastructure and Logistics Study (BTILS) should be undertaken.
After becoming BIMSTEC’s development partner in 2005, ADB provided regional assistance (RETA) for the preparation of the BTILS in 2006. The results and recommendations of the BTILS were endorsed at the 12th BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting in December 2009.
She also said that ADB had agreed to support BIMSTEC through another RETA approved in December 2011, which aims to implement the recommendations of the BTILS and to support the BIMSTEC Secretariat.
“ADB’s ongoing technical assistance to BIMSTEC aims to strengthen BIMSTEC’s institutional mechanism, including BIMSTEC Secretariat and the sector committee on transport and expert groups”, she added.
Dr. Jayantha Dias Samarasinghe, chairman, Sri Lanka Council for Agricultural Research Policy (SLCARP) also spoke on the subject of agriculture on “The need of a common agenda for agricultural policy framing to ensure food security in BIMSTEC region.”
The issue of available natural resources and scope of hospitality sector in Meghalaya was emphasized by P.W. Ingty, Principal Secretary, Department of Commerce and Industry, Meghalaya, while Sanjay Bhattacharyya spoke on the visions of BIMSTEC.
Speaking on his given topic, Sanjay observed that BIMSTEC was established in the vision to cater all round development in every nook and corner of the north eastern states of country. He believes that if developments come in the north east then peace and harmony will automatically follow and exist in the country.
Emphasizing on the theme of the conference held, he said that the fourteen pillars stated are the basic necessities of life which are required by every living individual for survival, which includes agriculture, animal husbandry, fishery, tourism and environment, transport and health.
He also urged the need for the concerned departments to walk along with BIMSTEC which can enhance development in many sectors of the country.
Due to vast difference in the geographical typography of the north eastern states which is mostly hilly, complete road connectivity is a difficult task to tackle, said Sanjay.
As such, economic co operation and development of good rapport with people around by enhancing tourism sector are the most important elements to consider.
Speaking as the chief guest at the occasion, P.C. Lawmkunga, Chief Secretary of Manipur said that the holding of the BIMSTEC international conference in the state is a good sign as this will widen the horizon to further India’s Look East Policy scope for Manipur being the gateway of South East Asia.
Calling upon the people to be vigilant and be aware of their responsibilities, he said that they should take hold of any opportunity that comes their way to further development and economic prosperity.
