The Host Country Agreement between the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the BIMSTEC Secretariat for establishing the BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility in Sri Lanka was signed, in Colombo, on 11 September 2026, marking a significant milestone in advancing regional cooperation in Science, Technology and Innovation.

The Agreement was signed by Mr. M. L. Gammampila, Secretary (Acting), Ministry of Science and Technology, Sri Lanka, on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka, and H.E. Indra Mani Pandey, BIMSTEC Secretary General, on behalf of the BIMSTEC Secretariat.

The signing of the Host Country Agreement reflects the shared commitment of the BIMSTEC States to strengthening cooperation in Science, Technology and Innovation, including through creating mechanisms to support technology transfer for the benefit of the member States.

The signing of the Host Country Agreement marks the final step towards operationalisation of the BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility, realising the long-standing commitment to establishing a functioning regional mechanism for facilitating technology transfer.

A Governing Board of the BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility has been constituted and the Board convened its first Meeting virtually on 03 August 2026 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. As the lead country for Science, Technology and Innovation Sector and Host Country of the Facility, Sri Lanka will coordinate with the member States, through the BIMSTEC Secretariat, to develop a common Intellectual Property Framework to facilitate technology transfer among the BIMSTEC member States. The proposed framework will be further discussed at the subsequent Meetings of the Governing Board. Sri Lanka will also announce appointment of the Executive Director of the
BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility at that Meeting.

As the Host Country, Sri Lanka will play the role of anchor in operationalisation of the Facility, in close cooperation with the BIMSTEC Secretariat and the member States.