Dhaka, Thimphu agree to enhance cooperation in trade, connectivity, electricity

Bangladesh and Bhutan on Monday (25 March) signed three new memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to enhance mutual cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.

The two friendly South Asian countries also agreed to enhance cooperation in the areas of trade and commerce, connectivity, power, agriculture, education, culture, people-to-people contact etc, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The agreements are the establishment of a Special Economic Zone in Kurigram, the setting up of a burn and plastic surgery unit in Thimphu, and technical cooperation on consumer rights. Another MoU on cultural exchange was renewed.

Besides, Bangladesh offered to increase the number of annual medical seats for Bhutanese students from 22 to 30 while the Foreign Service Academy of Bangladesh offered two seats for the Bhutanese Foreign Service officers every year for capacity building.  

Bangladesh will also extend necessary assistance in setting up a diplomatic training institute in Bhutan.

Apart from this, Bangladesh offered special training to Bhutanese officials in the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) annually for three years.

As a special gesture of goodwill and friendship, Bangladesh handed over computers and laptops for capacity building and skills development of the government officials of Bhutan.

The Bhutanese King and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina witnessed the signing held at the Prime Minister's Office.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Samanta Lal Sen, Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (Beza) Shaikh Yusuf Harun, Directorate of National Consumers' Right Protection Director General (Additional Secretary) AHM Shafiquzzaman and Cultural Affairs Secretary Khalil Ahmed signed the agreements from Bangladesh side.

Bhutanese Health Minister Tandin Wangchuk, Bhutanese Commerce Secretary Tashi Wangmk and Bhutanese Foreign Secretary Pema Choden signed the MoUs on behalf of their country.

Later in the day, a joint statement said the visit of Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is a testament of the close ties of friendship and goodwill between the two countries.

The state visit of the King and Queen to Bangladesh has further strengthened the traditional ties of friendship, cooperation and goodwill between the two countries, it said.

Bhutan conveyed its appreciation to Bangladesh for offering the Special Economic Zone in 'Kurigram' in the northern part of Bangladesh, which is 190 kms from the southern city of Gelephu, Bhutan.

The economic zone will add a new horizon in the area of bilateral trade and investment between the two countries and also for achieving greater prosperity in the South Asia region.

The King of Bhutan also extended invitations to the president and the prime minister of Bangladesh to visit Bhutan.

King's arrival

The Bhutanese King arrived in Dhaka on Monday morning. This is the first state visit by any foreign dignitary since the formation of the new government after the 7 January national election.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin and the First Lady received the King and his delegation members who arrived by a special flight.

The king was given a state salute and guard of honour by a smartly turned out contingent of Bangladesh Armed Forces. He inspected the guard of honour, while the national anthems of the two countries were played.

After the ceremony at the airport, he headed for Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi 32 to pay tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The king visited different parts of the museum guided by Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Rehana and PM Hasina's daughter Saima Wazed. He also signed the visitors' book there.

The Bhutanese King was later received by the prime minister at her office.

The king held a delegation-level meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina prior to the MoU signing ceremony. They also had a one-to-one meeting.

The Bhutanese King also met Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on Monday. 

Both sides expressed satisfaction at the current excellent level of cooperation between the two countries.

They agreed to enhance cooperation in the areas of trade and commerce, connectivity, power, agriculture, education, culture, people to people contact etc.

Minister Hasan on Sunday said Bangladesh will allocate 190 acres of land in Kurigram for a special economic zone for Bhutanese investors.

He said Bangladesh wants to import hydropower from Bhutan and a tripartite agreement is required to bring the electricity through India.

"We are in discussion to that end," he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He said Bhutan has a potential of producing 25,000 megawatts of hydropower.

The foreign minister said Bangladesh will also import hydropower from Nepal and things are settled regarding that initiative.

Hasan said Bangladesh will construct a Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit in Thimphu as a goodwill gesture which also demonstrates the country's capacity.

"We have multifaceted relations with Bhutan," Hasan said.

Programmes ahead

On Tuesday, the king will visit the National Martyrs' Memorial at Savar. He will also visit Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery.

The royal guest will visit Bangabhaban where he will be received by the president and his wife.

The king will have a meeting with the president at 4:30pm on Tuesday.

The president will host an iftar and a dinner reception in honour of the visiting royal.

On Wednesday morning, Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck and selected Bhutanese delegation members will leave Bangladesh for Bhutan by a special flight.

Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Rehana and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen will see them off at the airport.

The Bhutanese King will visit Padma Bridge and Bangladesh Special Economic Zone in Araihazar, Narayanganj.

On Thursday, the king will visit Kurigram Special Economic Zone.

He will leave Bangladesh territory for Golakganj, Assam via Sonahat Land Port on Thursday afternoon.

Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, state minister for shipping, will see him off.

Bhutan was the first country to recognise the newly independent Bangladesh on 6 December in 1971 when the 3rd King of Bhutan sent a message of recognition by telegram.

Since then Bangladesh and Bhutan share a special multidimensional bilateral relationship. Immediately after the independence, the Bhutanese government took initiative to establish diplomatic relations with Bangladesh and, consequently, formal diplomatic relations was established on 12 April 1973