BIMSTEC Grid Interconnection to be established

KATHMANDU, Aug 28 -- BIMSTEC Senior Officials’ meeting that concluded in Nepal's capital Kathmandu today decided to recommend to the BIMSTEC Summit for the agreement on establishment of 'BIMSTEC Grid Interconnection' to promote cooperation in energy among the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation(BIMSTEC) member countries.

The decision to this effect was made considering the report of the Secretary General and reviewing the progress made under different agreed areas of cooperation under the BIMSTEC, Spokesperson of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Bharatraj Poudyal said.

A Memorandum of Understating would be signed to this effect in the fourth BIMSTEC Summit scheduled to be held in Kathmandu on August 30-31 with the participation of the Head of State and Head of Governments of the member states.

Tuesday's meeting was held in an atmosphere of utmost cordiality and constructive spirit among the foreign secretaries of the BIMSTEC Member States. Likewise, the meeting noted the progress made so far and highlighted the need to make efforts to achieve more effective results. The meeting also considered a number of reports of various mechanisms related to customs cooperation, connectivity, technology, counter terrorism and transnational crime, agriculture, poverty alleviation, public health and matters pertaining to strengthening the Secretariat and adoption of the budget of the Secretariat.

Likewise, the meeting also considered the reports of 14 different experts' groups and mechanisms including trade and investment, transportation and information technology among others.

Also on Tuesday, the meeting discussed aspects as to how the cooperation under the BIMSTEC could be made more effective and business-like.