Bhutan agrees to narrow trade deficit with Bangladesh

Bangladesh and Bhutan have agreed to close trade gaps by exporting more goods.

The two sides sat for talks led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her counterpart Tshering Tobgay, who arrived in Dhaka on a three-day visit on Saturday.

“The two premiers have stressed on more export to close deficit in trade,” her Press Secretary AKM Shameem Chowdhury told bdnews24.com.

There is a Tk 1.55 billion deficit in trade between the neighbours, while trade worth Tk 1.95 billion takes place.

Bangladesh imports goods from Bhutan worth Tk 1.75 billion and exports goods worth Tk 200 million.

Hasina proposed that Bhutan buy readymade garments, ceramic goods, raw jute, jute products, leather goods, cosmetics, chemicals and seasonal vegetables from Bangladesh.

“Prime Minister Tobgay agreed when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina proposed the import of several products from Bangladesh.”

He said Bhutan wanted to import skilled manpower from Bangladesh, physicians in particular. He also responded positively to Hasina’s request that Bangladesh doctors working in Bhutan be paid better salaries.

Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, State Minister for Health Zahid Malik and for Power Nasrul Hamid Bipu were present in the meeting.

The prime ministers have also agreed to work together towards generating hydropower, the press secretary said.

“The prime ministers have stressed on transit for increasing communication and importing power from Bhutan.

Tobgay agreed with Hasina when she mentioned the need to hold tripartite meetings between Bangladesh, India and Bhutan on the matter.

They also agreed on boosting religious tourism.

The Bhutanese prime minister during their meeting proposed that stones be used to build infrastructure instead of bricks to prevent environmental damage.

He praised Hasina for including opposition members into her Cabinet and invited her to visit Bhutan on behalf of Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.

She accepted the invitation and asked Tobgay to visit Cox’s Bazar with his family.