Transit, power import, trade to figure in talks with Bhutan

Talha Bin Habib | Published: December 04, 2017 23:55:38

Transit, power import and bilateral trade issues will get top priority in the upcoming commerce secretary-level meeting between Bangladesh and Bhutan to be held in Cox's Bazar this month, officials said.
The two-day meeting will begin on December 21.
Commerce secretary Subhashish Bose will lead the Bangladesh side while the Bhutanese delegation will be led by the secretary of the Economic Affairs ministry of Bhutan.
The last commerce secretary-level meeting between the two countries was held in Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, in March last year.
"We will discuss several bilateral issues in the upcoming meeting in Cox's Bazar. We will request the Bhutanese delegation to help implement the BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement and speed up the process of import of power from Bhutan," a high official of the commerce ministry told the FE.
Earlier on June 21 in 2016, the National Assembly of Bhutan passed a bill related to the BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement.
According to the ministry concerned, there has been some progress in hydropower cooperation in the form of a tri-nation project among Bangladesh, India and Bhutan. Bangladesh and Bhutan could cooperate in hydropower sector for their mutual benefits.
Besides, regional connectivity holds immense potential for the people of the two friendly countries, according to the country's business circle.
They suggested implementing the BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement quickly as it will usher in a new horizon through establishing seamless connectivity in this sub-region.
Bhutan is the first country in the world to recognise independent Bangladesh.
Relationship between Bangladesh and Bhutan is multifaceted, encompassing a whole range of areas, including hydropower, water resources management, connectivity, trade and commerce, education, cultural exchange and tourism.
Bangladesh and Bhutan signed bilateral trade agreement in 1980. Since then, the volume of trade between Dhaka and Thimphu has been increasing steadily.
Bangladesh mainly exports apparel, agricultural products and footwear to Bhutan and imports vegetable products, prepared foodstuffs, mineral products, products of the chemical or allied industries, textiles and textile articles, base metals, machinery and mechanical appliances and electrical equipment.
In 2015-16 fiscal year, Bangladesh exported goods worth US$4.74 million to Bhutan and imported goods worth $21.60 million.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com