Addressing an event titled ‘Advanced Economic Integration under BIMSTEC: Prospect and Challenges’, organised by the Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA),

Pandey said the economic integration has been a key issue in today’s regional process as it stimulates growth and creates economic opportunities for people and thus the seamless connectivity should be promoted.

 “Better connectivity serves as a bridge among the members and brings people closer. This encourages economic transactions among the member states and also creates opportunities for trade beyond the region,” Pandey said, adding that the member states must focus on physical connectivity such as air, road, rail and waterways; soft connectivity such as custom cooperation and people to people connectivity by facilitating smoother movement of people through visa facilitation.

Chief Secretary Leela Mani Paudyal said promoting connectivity would lead to integration as a whole. “Europe has emerged as an example of regional integration and that is mainly because of free movement of people and goods,” Paudyal pointed.

Former commerce and supplies secretary Purshottam Ojha said despite wider

perspective for economic engagement, the regional group has failed to demonstrate any concrete results of cooperation during those 18 years of establishment and engagement.