Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade RGOB
Hon’ble Foreign Minister Lyonpo Damcho Dorji and other dignitaries from regional and international organizations’ offices in Bhutan and government officials attended the butter lamp lighting ceremony.
BIMSTEC comprises of seven Member States namely Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
The Hon’ble Foreign Minister addressed the gathering, which is reproduced below:
BIMSTEC Day (6 June 2018)
Address by Hon’ble Foreign Minister
Excellencies, Dashos, Venerable Lam, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.
Good Morning.
We are gathered here this morning in this historic place called Simtokha to celebrate the 21st Anniversary of the establishment of Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Day. According to the Bangkok Declaration of 6 June 1997, BIMSTEC was created with the desire “to establish a firm foundation for common action to promote sub-regional cooperation in the areas of trade, investment, technological exchange and other interrelated areas in a spirit of equality and partnership and thereby contribute towards peace, progress and prosperity in their common region”. Beginning with a sub-regional initiative with four Member States, BIMSTEC has become a promising regional organization comprising seven countries of the Bay of Bengal region: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Indi, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand
Ladies and Gentlemen
To conclude, I would like to extend my appreciation to representatives of various agencies, Simtokha Lam and his monks and SAARC sectoral focal persons, colleagues from Ministry for their tremendous effort in making this event a success. Let us once reiterate our commitment to BIMSTEC process and pray for peace and happiness in the region and the world.
Tashi Delek!
