Bangladesh signs deals with Bhutan to expand trade

The government has signed two deals with Bhutan on expanding trade and allotment of land for its embassy in Dhaka.

The two protocols were signed at the Prime Minister’s Office in presence of Sheikh Hasina and her Bhutanese counterpart Tshering Tobgay on Saturday evening.

Duty-free access for exporting 90 products will apply in trade between the neighbours. A plot at Dhaka’s Baridhara will also be handed over, free of cost, for the embassy of Bhutan.

Prime Minister Tobgay arrived in Dhaka for a three-day visit, with a 10-member entourage on Saturday morning.

A delegation of top Bhutanese businesspersons is also travelling with him.

Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed and Bhutan’s Economic Affairs Minister Norbu Wangchuk signed the protocol on trade.

Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali and his counterpart Rinzin Dorji signed on the protocol for allotment of land in Dhaka’s diplomatic district.

“The earlier agreement allowed duty-free access for 78 products but now it has been raised to 90,” said Minister Ahmed.

“We will allow duty-free access for exporting boulders from Bhutan for Padma Bridge. We will do everything necessary to increase trade between the two countries.”

Prime Minister Hasina received Tobgay when he arrived at Dhaka airport in the morning and greeted him again when he arrived for a meeting at her office in the afternoon.

They sat for talks after which meetings began between the representatives of the countries.

Earlier, Prime Minister Tobgay had said he wished to visit Bangladesh in an address to the Bhutanese people, according to Ali.

Hasina sent him an official invitation after hearing about the address.