Bhutanese PM hails Kurigram SEZ as crucial G2G project

Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay on Sunday described the Kurigram Special Economic Zone (SEZ), which is currently being constructed under a Government-to-Government (G2G) partnership, as an important project, reports BSS.

"This zone in Bangladesh would connect with Bhutan's forthcoming special administrative region, the 'Gelephu Mindfulness City'," he said while meeting with Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun at the InterContinental in the city.

Discussions during the bilateral meeting focused on the establishment of a Bhutanese SEZ in Bangladesh and other related interests.

This connection is anticipated to further consolidate commercial flow and cooperation within the industrial sectors of both nations.

During the meeting, the Bhutanese Prime Minister also highlighted new opportunities for Bhutanese entrepreneurs within Bangladesh's financial and other sectors.

He expressed interest in dispatching a high-level delegation soon to Bangladesh to evaluate these potential business opportunities.

Ashik Chowdhury reaffirmed Bangladesh's commitment to implementing the Kurigram Economic Zone.

He assured cooperation in realizing the full potential of the Gelephu-Kurigram connection, suggesting that "Kurigram and Gelephu may become complementary engines for our joint economic future".

Ashik Chowdhury, also Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) highlighted the advantages Bangladesh offers, including its large market, skilled labor force, and global connectivity, noting that these factors could help develop a new-generation model for economic cooperation.

He also stated that necessary coordination and effective steps would be taken regarding the establishment of the economic zone, in accordance with regulatory procedures.

The meeting was attended by Major General (Retd) Nazrul Islam, BEZA Executive Member (Planning and Development), along with officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Bangladesh Embassy in Bhutan.

The Bhutanese delegation included Bhutan's Ambassador Rinchen Kuentsel and senior officials from the country's Health, Trade, and Industry Ministries.