| Event | BIMSTEC Business Summit organized by CII in partnership with Ministry of External Affairs, India. |
| Speaker | Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal. |
| Key Points | |
| Reexamine Priorities | Need to reassess priorities of BIMSTEC member nations for finalizing the delayed Free Trade Agreement. |
| Trade Negotiating Committee | Suggested starting with a preferential trade agreement to boost intra-regional trade and investment. |
| Current Trade Relations | Trade among BIMSTEC countries is small; deeper integration needed. |
| Trade Deficit | Focus on reducing trade deficit, strengthening trade facilitation, e-commerce, and digital public infrastructure. |
| Border Controls | Need for computerization of border controls and faster clearance of import-export processes. |
| Strengthening Supply Chains | Removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers, adopting international norms, seamless transport connectivity. |
| Startups and Entrepreneurs | Greater integration among startups and entrepreneurs of the seven member countries. |
| Technology and Agriculture | Encourage technology and foster agricultural cooperation for food security and healthcare. |
| Blue Economy | Emphasis on thriving blue economy, enhancing livelihoods, job creation, and preserving marine ecosystems. |
| Regional Value Chains | Adding value to agricultural and mineral produce to become a developed region. |
| BIMSTEC Members | Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan, and Nepal. |
