The agriculture industry's contribution to overall regional trade with the rest of the world was 10.67% in 2020. Marine resources are also a significant source of livelihood for the coastal and Bay of Bengal littoral areas. Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand are major contributors to the regional fish trade because of their extensive coasts and access to marine resources. According to RIS (2016), the BIMSTEC region exports approximately 10% of global seafood.
Bangladesh: Agriculture is the backbone of Bangladesh's economy. The country is known as the world’s fourth-largest rice producer and one of the major exporters of fish and seafood products.
Bhutan: Agriculture is the mainstay of Bhutan’s economy. Agriculture in Bhutan is mainly subsistence-based, and the country has limited agricultural exports and fisheries resources due to its landlocked nature.
India: Agriculture is a vital sector of the Indian economy. It is the world’s second-largest producer of rice & wheat and the largest producer of milk.
Myanmar: Agriculture is a critical part of Myanmar's economy. It is the world's seventh-largest rice producer.
Nepal: Agriculture is the backbone of Nepal's economy. Nepal has limited fisheries resources due to its landlocked nature.
Source : (i) Food And Agriculture Organization of United Nations, ii) The World Bank
Sri Lanka: Agriculture is a significant sector of Sri Lanka’s economy, and the nation's economy is also heavily dependent on fishing, which also helps secure the nation's food supply by creating jobs.
Figure: Fisheries Production (Metric Tons) (Year 2021) Source: The World Bank
Thailand: Agriculture is an important part of Thailand's economy. It is the world’s second-largest exporter of rice and one of the largest exporters of fish and seafood products.
Agriculture and other import-export information of Member Countries
| Member States | Major Productions | Major Export Products | Major Import Products |
| Bangladesh | Jute, Rice, Hilsha, cattle, buffalo, goats, sheep, poultry, and dairy farming. | Jute, tea, rice, Frozen shrimp, seafood products. | Wheat, edible oil, pulse, sugar. |
| Bhutan | Vegetables, dairy, cattle, yaks, poultry, and pigs, freshwater fish species. | oranges, potatoes, vegetables, and apples. | Rice, maize, wheat, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, spices, frozen fish products. |
| India | Rice, milk, fish, cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, poultry, and dairy farming. | Rice, wheat, cotton, sugarcane, spices, frozen fish, shrimp, fish fillets, and processed seafood products. | Vegetable oil, pulse, fruits & nuts, and sugar. |
| Myanmar | Rice, cattle, buffalo, pigs, poultry, and fish farming. | Rice, pulse, oilseeds, frozen fish, and shrimp. | Edible oil, wheat, pulse, sugar, dairy products. |
| Nepal | Spice, freshwater fish species, cattle, buffalo, goats, sheep, poultry, and pig rearing. | Spice | Rice, wheat, edible oils, frozen fish products. |
| Sri Lanka | Tea, coconut products, fish, cattle, buffalo, goats, sheep, poultry, and dairy production. | Ceylon Tea and spices, rubber, coffee, coconut products, frozen fish, shrimp, and processed seafood items. | Wheat, sugar, pulse. |
| Thailand | Rice, seafood products, cattle, buffalo, pigs, poultry, and dairy farming. | Rice, sugar, Tuna, shrimp, fish fillets, and other seafood products. | Edible oil, wheat, pulse, sugar, dairy products. |
Source: (i)Food and Agriculture Organization of the United States, (ii) BIMSTEC Member States’ National Websites
Bilateral and Multilateral Partnerships among BIMSTEC Member States
BIMSTEC, to maintain the existing sectoral development, has established external partnerships with organizations that have expertise in agriculture, food, and nutritional security, such as – International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). Apart from the collective effort, the BIMSTEC member countries have also formed bilateral partnerships according to their necessity. Some of the major bilateral agreements and Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) are-
| S.N | Name of the Agreement/ MoU | Signing Parties | Year |
| 01. | Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on bilateral cooperation in the field of Fisheries and aquaculture and allied activities. | Bangladesh and India | September 2011 |
| 02. | Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on agricultural cooperation. | Bangladesh and Bhutan | September 2012 |
| 03. | Memorandum of Understanding between Agriculture and Food Regulatory Authority, and Department of Agriculture Extension. | Bangladesh and Bhutan | April 2017 |
| 04. | Bilateral agreement on the export of urea fertilizer. | Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) and Krishi Samagri Company Limited (KSCL) of Nepal | December 2020 |
| 05. | Bilateral Agreement on Rice Export from Myanmar to Sri Lanka under G to G Arrangement. | Ministry of Commerce of Myanmar and the Ministry of Trade of Sri Lanka | January 2022 |
| 06. | Memorandum of Understanding for a long-term supply of urea and DAP fertilizers from India to Nepal under a G2G arrangement. | India and Nepal | February 2022 |
| 07. | Memorandum of Understanding on rice trade. | Myanmar and Bangladesh | September 2022 |