August 14: Bhutan and Bangladesh are holding bilateral trade talks at the commerce secretary level. The Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs Dasho Sonam Tshering has been meeting with the visiting Bangladesh Commerce Secretary Mr. Feroz Ahmed.

At the meeting held in Thimphu yesterday, Dasho Sonam Tshering spoke on the close friendship that exists between the two countries.

Bringing up Bhutan’s proposal for additional trade routes, Dasho Sonam Tshering said Bhutan’s trade to Bangladesh presently is through only one land port at Burimari which benefits only the western part of the country. To facilitate trade with the eastern and other parts of Bhutan, Dasho Sonam Tshering requested the Bangladesh to consider the inclusion of Damabir and Mongla part as additional trade route.

He added that in order to simplify the trade Bhutan would also like to propose to merge the trade and transit agreement. Proposing to the government of Bangladesh to consider for an operating modality for carriage of transit and trade cargo, he said this is mainly in consideration of the perishables being exported from Bhutan to reach the market of Dhaka without having to change transporters.

Mr. Feroz Ahmed expressed his hopes that such bilateral meetings will take place on the regular basis. He said Bhutan and Bangladesh have had regular contacts at various levels on the side lines of the regional and multilateral meetings.

He also recalled the fruitful discussion that has taken place between Prime Minister of Bhutan and the chief advisor during the 15 SAARC summit in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Sharing Dasho Sonam Tshering’s remarks, Mr. Feroz Ahmed said that the discussions will pave the way for more meaningful and cooperative bilateral relationship.