Bangladesh and Bhutan have agreed to boost trade and negotiate a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries apart from strong collaboration in the power sector, especially hydroelectric power, reports UNB.
Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque said this at a press conference arranged for the members of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) at the Foreign Ministry Monday.
"Bhutanese side has proposed to negotiate an FTA with Bangladesh…our Prime Minister has agreed on the proposal," he said.
The Foreign Secretary hoped the negotiation will start soon, and the FTA will be signed which will play a vital role in boosting and minimising the trade gap between the two countries.
Sharing the outcome of Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay's three-day visit, Shahidul Haque said power sector collaboration, especially hydroelectric power, came up very strongly at the discussion table. "Bangladesh expressed its desire in both areas- either for joint investment or procuring power from Bhutan."
The Foreign Secretary also said four major areas-power sector collaboration, boosting trade, connectivity and capacity building- came up largely during the bilateral talks between the two countries.
On connectivity, he said they focused on connectivity in a broader sense not concentrating on physical or road connectivity rather connectivity in terms of sharing thoughts, ideas and people to people connectivity. "Both countries agreed to work together in this area."
He also said the two neighbouring nations agreed on going for transit among Bangladesh-India-Bhutan allowing movements of goods, services and people.
The Foreign Secretary said the issue of climate change also came up for discussion at the meeting.
Responding to a question, the Foreign Secretary said the bilateral agreement between the two countries has been renewed for another 10 years.
Dhaka, Thimphu agree to negotiate FTA: FS
FE Team | Published: December 09, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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