Bhutan to facilitate entry of Bangladeshi products

Bhutan will facilitate entry of Bangladeshi products into its market and agreed to further promote trade and investments between the two countries.

The response came after Bangladesh had offered to export more products such as readymade garment, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, jute and allied products, leather goods, toiletries, and agricultural produce to Bhutan.

The two countries at their summit-level meeting on Tuesday in Thimphu, emphasised the advantages of sub-regional cooperation in the areas of power, water resources, and connectivity for mutual benefits.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Bhutanese counterpart Tshering Tobgay also recognised the importance of enhancing regional connectivity, and they agreed to work bilaterally and sub-regionally towards that end.

The two countries issued a 26-point joint statement yesterday on the state visit of the prime minister of Bangladesh to Bhutan on April 18-20, when the two countries agreed to cooperate in a wide range of areas, including hydro-power, water resources, trade and commerce, connectivity, tourism, culture, education, health, ICT, and agriculture.

Sheikh Hasina returned home yesterday ending her 3-day visit.

The two prime ministers welcomed the signing of MoU on Use of Inland Waterways for Transportation of Bilateral Trade and Transit Cargoes between the Government of Bhutan and the Government of Bangladesh for providing connectivity with Chittagong and Mongla ports.

They expressed hope that this will open up further opportunities of bilateral trade between the two countries and beyond.

They emphasised the advantages of sub-regional cooperation in the areas of power, water resources, and connectivity for mutual benefit.

They also welcomed the proposed trilateral memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Bangladesh, Bhutan and India for cooperation in the field of hydroelectric power. They expressed the hope that this MoU could be signed when leaders of all three countries would meet next.

The two leaders also recognised the importance of BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal) Motor Vehicle Agreement for regional connectivity.

Bhutan appreciated Bangladesh for taking a number of measures, including opening of land customs stations namely Tamabil-Dawki and Nakuagaon-Dalu, Gobrakura and Koroitoli-Gasuaparaand resolving duty exemption issues on lime stone powder, gypsum and calcium carbonate export to Bangladesh.

Bhutan gifted a plot of land measuring 1.5 acres to Bangladesh for construction of its embassy at the diplomatic enclave at Hejo, Thimphu. Sheikh Hasina unveiled the foundation stone for the embassy of Bangladesh while the King of Bhutan graced the ceremony.

Source: thedailystar