I attended the 7th Meeting of the BIMSTEC Network of Policy Think Tanks (BNPTT) held on 30–31 May 2025 in Kathmandu, Nepal[1]. The meeting was hosted by the Centre for Economic Development and Administration (CEDA), Tribhuvan University, under the BIMSTEC framework. BNPTT provides a platform for designated national think tanks to contribute policy inputs on BIMSTEC’s priority areas – including people-to-people contact[2]. As the BIISS-nominated representative of Bangladesh, I delivered an individual presentation under Agenda Item 06 on “Potentialities of cooperation in tourism and culture & their roles in strengthening ties at the people level”[3]. Earlier in the meeting, the Secretariat reviewed past BNPTT recommendations on people-to-people contact[4], reinforcing the continuing relevance of tourism and cultural ties in our discussions.

My presentation proposed several measures to strengthen regional tourism and cultural exchange:

• BIMSTEC Tourism Circuit: Creating a unified circuit linking major heritage and natural sites across member states, with streamlined visas or permits[5].

• Improved Connectivity: Enhancing air, road, and maritime links (for example, new direct flights between secondary cities) and establishing a BIMSTEC tourism task force to standardize infrastructure[6].

• Digital Promotion: Launching a “Visit BIMSTEC” campaign to showcase the region’s offerings and providing a portal with real-time advisories, multilingual guides, and e-ticketing for transborder attractions[7].

• Cultural Festivals & Exchanges: Organizing annual BIMSTEC cultural festivals (showcasing shared arts, cuisine and youth participation) and university exchange programs to celebrate our common heritage[8].

• Creative Industries Fund: Supporting cross-border creative industries (joint film/music projects, handicraft fairs) through a BIMSTEC Creative Economy Fund[9].

• Institutional Mechanisms: Proposing a BIMSTEC Tourism & Culture Charter to institutionalize cooperation and a Tourism-Culture Index to monitor progress[10].

These ideas aligned closely with the meeting’s theme and other contributions. The keynote address underscored that “people-to-people connection is the soul of regionalism” and championed cultural and educational exchanges as bridges across nations[11]. In particular, the keynote envisaged a BIMSTEC Youth Exchange Program and vibrant cultural festivals to inspire a new generation of regional thinkers[12]. My proposals similarly focused on people-centered initiatives that bind our communities across borders. The BIMSTEC Secretariat’s final note stressed inclusivity and broader participation (including additional think tanks, grassroots and civil society) to strengthen people-to-people ties[13], echoing the inclusive spirit of my recommendations.

Participating in this meeting enriched my professional development as a researcher and policy analyst. Preparing and delivering the presentation sharpened my analytical skills, while the ensuing Q&A and discussions deepened my understanding of regional cooperation dynamics. Interacting with delegates during sessions and informal meetings expanded my network of peers across BIMSTEC and provided valuable feedback on our proposals. The positive reception from colleagues affirmed the relevance of these initiatives and sparked interest in pursuing them further through collaborative research and project proposals.

For BIISS, representing Bangladesh at the BNPTT meeting raised our institute’s profile in the BIMSTEC community and showcased our thought leadership on tourism and culture policy. Through this engagement, BIISS also forged new connections with regional partners, laying groundwork for joint studies and exchange programs. Overall, my participation advanced the BIMSTEC dialogue on people-centered cooperation and reinforced BIISS’s role in supporting an inclusive, people-focused regional agenda.

Sources: CEDA/Tribhuvan University and BIMSTEC Secretariat documents detailing the BNPTT agenda, keynote remarks, and secretariat note[1][3][11][12][13] (see citations).

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[1] [3] [4] 2.Draft Annotated Provisional Agenda 7th BNPTT.pdf

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[2] [13] 2025 7th BNPPT Track 2 Main Document on the Issue to Discuss.pdf

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[5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] Abrar Speech on the 7th BNPTT Kathmandu Nepal 2025.docx

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[11] [12] 04_Annex_4_Keynote Remarks 7th BNPTT.pdf

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