Power, tourism and transit to dominate talks with Bhutanese PM
Wednesday, 15 December 2010
Doulot Akter Mala
Power sector cooperation, joint tourism and transit agreement will dominate bilateral talks during the ensuing visit of Bhutanese Prime Minister in Dhaka next month.
Bhutanese PM Jigme Y Thinley, chairperson of SAARC, is scheduled to arrive on January 10 for a five-day visit.
Officials said major regional issues including import of hydro-power from power project in Sankush of Bhutan, transshipment and transit facilities will be focused on the bilateral discussion.
The country, earlier, proposed to introduce cross-border road communications with Bhutan through three points-Burimari Port (Lalmonirhat), Tamabil (Sylhet) and Naoka (Sherpur).
Air service agreements between the two countries will also get priority in the discussion. The ministry of foreign affairs will hold an inter-ministerial meeting on December 21 to set the agendas for discussion with Bhutanese premiere. Foreign secretary will chair the meeting.
Earlier, a seven-member delegation, led by economic affairs adviser to the Prime Minister Mashiur Rahman, visited Thimphu to discuss major regional issues.
The transit and transshipment issues with India, Bhutan and Nepal were the much-discussed issue at the high-level government meetings recently.
A core committee on transit and transshipment issues held its first meeting Sunday to frame a transit policy.
Officials said the Bhutanese PM will visit Chittagong sea port during his five-day stay in the country.
Talking to the FE Monday, Dr. Mashiur Rahman said: "The government has already offered transit facilities to Bhutan through Mongla and Chittangong ports."
The vehicle movement guidelines will be framed to determine the procedures, he said.
Responding to queries on hydro-power import from Bhutan, the adviser said the country will have to discuss the matter with India which is the investor of Bhutanese power project.
Power gridlines will be needed to import electricity from Bhutan through India, he said expressing little hope on the matter due to slow progress of the power project.
Power sector cooperation, joint tourism and transit agreement will dominate bilateral talks during the ensuing visit of Bhutanese Prime Minister in Dhaka next month.
Bhutanese PM Jigme Y Thinley, chairperson of SAARC, is scheduled to arrive on January 10 for a five-day visit.
Officials said major regional issues including import of hydro-power from power project in Sankush of Bhutan, transshipment and transit facilities will be focused on the bilateral discussion.
The country, earlier, proposed to introduce cross-border road communications with Bhutan through three points-Burimari Port (Lalmonirhat), Tamabil (Sylhet) and Naoka (Sherpur).
Air service agreements between the two countries will also get priority in the discussion. The ministry of foreign affairs will hold an inter-ministerial meeting on December 21 to set the agendas for discussion with Bhutanese premiere. Foreign secretary will chair the meeting.
Earlier, a seven-member delegation, led by economic affairs adviser to the Prime Minister Mashiur Rahman, visited Thimphu to discuss major regional issues.
The transit and transshipment issues with India, Bhutan and Nepal were the much-discussed issue at the high-level government meetings recently.
A core committee on transit and transshipment issues held its first meeting Sunday to frame a transit policy.
Officials said the Bhutanese PM will visit Chittagong sea port during his five-day stay in the country.
Talking to the FE Monday, Dr. Mashiur Rahman said: "The government has already offered transit facilities to Bhutan through Mongla and Chittangong ports."
The vehicle movement guidelines will be framed to determine the procedures, he said.
Responding to queries on hydro-power import from Bhutan, the adviser said the country will have to discuss the matter with India which is the investor of Bhutanese power project.
Power gridlines will be needed to import electricity from Bhutan through India, he said expressing little hope on the matter due to slow progress of the power project.