Sikkim participates as an Associate Partner State in the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical & Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Business Conclave being organized by the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Ministry of External Affairs in Kolkata from 13-15th June, 2023.
All the member countries of BIMSTEC viz, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Nepal and Thailand are participating in this Business Conclave through their respective chamber of commerce.
The three-day long business conclave along with a BIMSTEC exhibition will discuss priorities, opportunities, challenges to improve trade & investments in BIMSTEC countries. B2B, G2B, G2G interactions among BIMSTEC Members is also a part of this Business Conclave.
Ministers, Consulate General offices and officials of BIMSTEC countries, attending the Business Conclave.
The Sikkim delegation led by Mahendra P Lama, Chief Economic Advisor to Government of Sikkim, Karma R Bonpo, Secretary, M Ravikumar, Director, MSME, C&I Deptt, entrepreneurs, PSUs from Sikkim are attending events.
In the Inaugural session, Mahendra P Lama addressed the international business delegation and emphasized on the preferential trade mechanisms to be adopted for promotion of International Trade among BIMSTEC countries.
He also highlighted the efforts taken by the Government of India under the dynamic leadership of Shri Narendra Modi to witness paradigm shift on perception of North East India and East Asia from NO GO Zone to LOOK EAST POLICY to harness the potential of natural resources, human resources, trade and investment potential available in North East India.
He spoke on the Asian Highway; Developmental works undertaken by India to improve Sea Routes and Air connectivity. He also emphasized that respective state governments are working to furthering the ties and trade relations among the BIMSTEC countries.
The road, railway networks are being developed not only to improve trade relations but also to improve multilateral relations, communication network, internal relations, cultural and spiritual relations, supply chain and value addition among BIMSTEC countries.
He stated that under the leadership of Chief Minister of Sikkim, Prem Singh Golay Chewabhanjyang corridor has been identified as potential trade route between India and Nepal. The trade route if opened will provide opportunities for further investment and development of both India and Nepal.
He said that the key to boosting investments from South East and East Asian Counties to North East India including Sikkim is by addressing Knowledge & information gaps, matchmaking gaps, Policy coordination gaps, startup promotion gaps, Incentives gaps, Confidence gaps.
He appealed to the BIMSTEC countries especially to the Investors, Policy makers and industrialists to invest among BIMSTEC countries to improve the trade and economic cooperation.
The Secretary, C&I Dept Karma R Bonpo, made a detailed presentation about investment opportunities in Sikkim. He highlighted Sikkim as a Green Investment Destination with great scope in Clean Energy, Tourism, Organic Farming, Education and Handicraft. The State Government of Sikkim is implementing various polices to make Sikkim a preferred Investment destination.
Press Release from
Commerce & Industries Department
Government of Sikkim
Via IPR
