Bimstec to overcome challenges

ALTHOUGH the Bay of Bengal Initiatives for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) has been in force for 11 years it has not yet made an impact on the economic fields of member countries. It could not come forward during natural disasters or during the price hike of food experienced by member countries. Bimstec, thus, is unknown as a regional body among the people by and large.
Bimstec, comprising seven countries -- Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand and SriLanka -- was formed in Bangkok on June 6, 1997, as an international organisation but, in fact, operates as a regional body, and its functions often overlap with those of other such organisations.
The total population of member countries is around140 crores, which is almost 22% of the world population. The combined GDP of these countries stands at $750 billion, with a promising future of rapid rise in growth rate. During the eleven years of its existence, Bimstec has tried to justify its formation with diversification of its activities, mostly in the areas of industry, trade, investment, communication and transport. In all, about 94 areas of cooperation have so far been identified for effective collaboration, which could be considered unique and unprecedented for any regional body.
The special objective of this organisation is to conclude a Free Trade Pact by 2017, while three advanced countries (India, Thailand, and SriLanka) are committed to ensure trade liberalisation by 2012 AD. With this vision, 13 major areas of activities have been identified, such as, trade and industry, technology, energy, transport and communication, tourism, fisheries, agriculture, cultural cooperation, public health, environment and disaster management, people to people contact, poverty alleviation, counter terrorism and transnational crime control.
In the official meeting held in NewDelhi in August 2006, it was agreed that some countries would be identified as lead countries for particular areas of activities. Accordingly, trade and industry was earmarked for Bangladesh. Transport, tourism, environment and counter terrorism were earmarked for India. Similarly, fisheries, agriculture, public health and people to people contact were allocated to Thailand. The lead countries for other areas were Sri Lanka for technology, Bhutan for cultural cooperation, Nepal for poverty alleviation, and Myanmar for energy.
Besides the activities so identified, there is enough scope to share experiences among member countries in different areas, such as Thailand in the fields of agriculture, floriculture, horticulture, production of high yielding varieties of seeds and use of pesticide and fertiliser. The Thai experience of drip irrigation, marketing of agricultural products and involvement of cooperative societies could immensely benefit other member countries. The success of Thailand in combating HIV/Aids and other public health issues are examples to emulate for other member countries.
Similarly, the innovation of rural development through Comilla approach, use of oral dehydration therapy and primary health care, excellence in textile and clothing and experience of disaster management of Bangladesh can be replicated in some other member countries. Others could use the knowledge of ICT and e-commerce, land distribution and management, and development of tourist spots and eco-parks of India.
The experience of Sri Lanka in the proper use of herbal and alternate medicine, gems and jewelry refinement and preservation of processed foods could be shared among the member countries. The people to people contact could be strengthened with organised visits to places like Pattaya, Akiyab, Otti, Lumbini, Kandi, Cox's bazar, or Thimpu.
There are some major challenges for this organisation in its management and functional set up, apart from positive threats from other regional organisations like Asean, Saarc, Asia Cooperation Dialogue, Mekong Ganga Cooperation, Cirdap, D-8 etc. Thailand is a member of Asean, Mekong Ganga Cooperation and Asia Cooperation Dialogue. Similarly, India is also a member of Cirdap, Saarc, Mekong Ganga Cooperation and Asia Cooperation Dialogue, and has more or other commitments of regional cooperation. Bangladesh, SriLanka, Myanmar, Nepal and Bhutan are also members of two or more regional bodies having more economic interest than the bimstec.
One of such important regional organisations is the Mekong Ganga Cooperation, with almost similar mandates as expressed in the Bimstec. This organisation, of which India, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam are members, started functioning on November 10, 2000. It has identified areas like tourism, culture, education, transportation etc., with a vision to establish a solid foundation for future trade and investment cooperation in this region. It has also decided to identify lead countries, like Thailand for tourism, India for education, Cambodia for culture, Laos for communication and transportation and Vietnam for plan of activities.
The Asia Cooperation Dialogue is a body created in 2002 to promote political and economic cooperation at a continental level in Asia. A few individuals consider this as a precursor to an Asian Union. The former prime minister of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra, suggested that Asia as a continent should have its own forum to discuss avenues of Asia-wide cooperation.
The vision of this organisation is to promote interdependence among Asian countries in all areas of cooperation by identifying Asia's common strengths and opportunities to help reduce poverty and improve the quality of life of the Asian people. This might ensure development of a knowledge- based society in Asia for enhancing the empowerment of communities and people at large.
To meet the challenges facing it, Bimstec will have to strengthen its management structure in such a way that other regional bodies cannot get an advantage. As regards the areas of cooperation, there could be more significant, diversified, rewarding and viable programs or projects for each member country to make the organisation more effective and attractive.
Bangladesh as a lead country in the area of trade and commerce can try to secure full advantage and opportunities in the areas of exports, foreign direct investment, tariff concessions, market access etc. The initiatives of Bangladesh to fight against poverty and reduce the same to half, as per targets of millennium development goals, might get support from Bimstec countries. The food security issue should be discussed with India, Myanmar and Thailand. Bangladesh might obtain maximum advantages from this forum, and contribute immensely to its efficient management and future improvements.

Dhiraj Kumar Nath is a former adviser to caretaker government.