Desk Report:
Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay has expressed his keen interest in signing a free trade agreement (FTA) with Bangladesh and establishing connectivity between the economic zones of the two countries. He said the initiative will give a new dimension to trade and investment.
The Bhutanese Prime Minister made the proposal during a meeting with Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus on Friday local time at the organization’s headquarters in New York on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
He said that both countries would benefit greatly if Bhutan’s special economic zone ‘Gelepu Mindfulness City’ (GMC) is linked to the special economic zone allocated for Bhutanese investors in Kurigram.
Principal Advisor Professor Yunus welcomed the proposal and said, “Bangladesh and Bhutan can take bilateral relations to new heights through improved connectivity, trade and investment.”
The Principal Advisor urged the two countries to explore all opportunities to expand trade and investment.
At the time, Tobgay said that Bhutan wants to utilize its hydropower potential for Bangladesh. At the same time, he said that his government is interested in welcoming Bangladeshi investment in Bhutan’s pharmaceutical industry. He also sought Bangladesh’s cooperation in establishing fiber optic connectivity.
The Bhutanese Prime Minister also highlighted his government’s plans to promote religious tourism. He mentioned that Bangladeshi Buddhist monks can visit Bhutan, which will play an important role in the development of tourism.
The two leaders also discussed the Rohingya crisis. The Bhutanese Prime Minister said that his country will participate in the plenary session organized by the United Nations on September 30 on the Rohingya issue.
Praising Professor Yunus’ leadership, Tobgay said that Bangladesh is now under the “right leadership”. He referred to him as his personal “ideal” and addressed him respectfully – “My Professor.”
The Bhutanese Prime Minister also praised the design of Bangladesh’s new Chancery building, recently inaugurated in Thimphu, which is built on the theme of “Bay of Bengal at the Foot of the Himalayas”.
During the meeting, Principal Advisor Professor Yunus invited the Bhutanese Prime Minister to visit Bangladesh. In response, Tobgay said that he would probably visit before the national elections in Bangladesh in February.
