This project aims to examine the potential and develop proposals for comprehensive economic cooperation between Japan and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMST-EC), which involves India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, and Sri Lanka. Specifically, researchers from these five countries are conducting joint research and disseminating information with the help of Japanese experts in the areas of trade and investment, infrastructure, tourism, technical cooperation, energy, and the fishing industry.
This year, based on the results of studies conducted by research teams in each country, a dialogue meeting (July 8-9, 2006 in Dacca) and an international conference (December 7-8, 2006 in Bangkok) were held. Politicians, policymakers, representatives of the business sector, and intellectuals from each country were invited to attend. These meetings provided opportunities for the development of networks between think tanks in these countries, the creation of an official website (www.bntt.org), and the sharing of information and joint activities. The results of the project have been published in a newsletter entitled New BIMSTEC Focus and in a research compilation entitled Towards BIMSTEC-Japan Comprehensive Economic Cooperation: The Benefits of Moving Together.