Bhutan PM Tobgay to arrive in Bangladesh Saturday, three MoUs expected

Muhammad Yunus will welcome him at the airport

Bhutanese Prime Minister Shering Tobgay is set arrive in Dhaka on Saturday for a two-day state visit.

As per the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the visit may see the signing of three memoranda of understanding (MoUs), including agreements on internet bandwidth exchange.

At a press conference on Thursday, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam said Tobgay will arrive at Shahjalal International Airport on Saturday morning, where Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus will welcome him with a guard of honour.

He will go to the National Memorial in Savar to pay tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War.

Foreign Advisor Touhid Hossain will see the Bhutanese prime minister in the afternoon.

Later, a private meeting between Yunus and Tobgay will take place, followed by an official meeting.

The foreign secretary said the discussions will cover trade and investment, communications, education, agriculture, health, energy and power, telecommunications, tourism, culture, youth and sports, and industry.

He added that three MoUs are expected to be signed, but the issues are still under discussion.

A state banquet in honour of the Bhutanese prime minister and his delegation will be held on Saturday night.

On Sunday, Tobgay will meet President Mohammed Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban.

He is also scheduled to meet several advisors the same day, along with a business delegation.

Tobgay will leave Dhaka for Thimphu on Nov 24, with Touhid seeing him off at the airport.

Siam said the bilateral meeting provides Bangladesh the opportunity to propose specific cooperation initiatives in health, education, trade, economic development, agriculture, tourism, and sports.

The government may also seek Bhutan’s support in employing Bangladeshi professionals in trade expansion, water management, and other sectors, he added.

Discussions on regional and multilateral issues are also expected.

On importing hydropower via India, he said Bangladesh proposed it in 2023 and Bhutan is interested. As a trilateral matter, finalisation awaits Bhutan-India talks.

Asked about reducing travel tax for Bangladeshis visiting Bhutan, Siam said the request to keep the tax at its current level will remain, and Bangladesh may also ask for a further reduction.

On the use of Bangladesh’s economic zones and Saidpur Airport, the secretary said: “A special economic zone in Kurigram for Bhutanese manufacturing has long been proposed by Bangladesh.

“Regarding the airport, it is nearby, so we will certainly offer Bhutan its use for industrial purposes. If they choose to use Saidpur Airport, we have no objection.”

The secretary said Bangladesh has long proposed a special economic zone in Kurigram for Bhutan’s manufacturing sector.

“The nearby Saidpur Airport can also be used if needed for industrial purposes,” he added.