The Foreign Ministers of BIMSTEC member States signed an Agreement a day before the Sixth BIMSTEC Summit held on April 4 in Bangkok. Photo: Collected

DHAKA, April 6, 2025 (BSS) - The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral 
Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Agreement on Maritime Transport 
Cooperation (AMTC) will enhance port efficiency, harmonize maritime policies, 
and streamline customs procedures, ensuring smoother movement of goods and 
services in the region.

"With AMTC in place, BIMSTEC now has a comprehensive framework for seamless 
maritime transport, aimed at reducing logistical bottlenecks and deepening 
economic integration," said a press release issued by the BIMSTEC secretariat 
in Dhaka today. 
 
The Foreign Ministers of BIMSTEC member States signed the Agreement a day 
before the Sixth BIMSTEC Summit held on April 4 in Bangkok, marking a 
transformative step towards enhancing maritime partnerships in the region.

Beyond trade facilitation, AMTC seeks to boost investment in key maritime 
infrastructure, including ports, shipping lanes, and coastal logistics hubs, 
fostering regional economic growth and stability, said the BIMSTEC 
Secretariat here.
 
The agreement will also promote cooperation in maritime safety, environmental 
sustainability, digitalization of shipping processes, and capacity-building.
 
BIMSTEC leaders including Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus welcomed 
the signing of the AMTC, recognizing its potential to enhance regional 
maritime connectivity, facilitate cross-border trade, and spur investment in 
port infrastructure, logistics, and related sectors, said the press release.
 
The leaders also directed relevant authorities to expedite its 
implementation, it added.
 
BIMSTEC comprises seven countries-- Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, 
Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand-- of the Bay of Bengal region. 

It pursues regional cooperation in seven broad sectors-- agriculture and food 
security, connectivity, environment and climate change, people-to-people 
contact, science, technology and innovation, security and trade and 
investment and development.
 
The cooperation also covers eight sub-sectors-- blue economy, mountain 
economy, energy, disaster management, fisheries and livestock, poverty 
alleviation, health and human resource development.