Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic

The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is a vital intergovernmental organization connecting seven South and Southeast Asian nations that border or depend on the Bay of Bengal. Established in 1997, it aims to foster technical and economic cooperation across a wide array of sectors, from trade and investment to energy, tourism, and disaster management. The organization's rotating leadership and permanent secretariat in Dhaka underscore its commitment to structured, albeit sometimes slow-moving, regional integration.