Bangladesh's first preferential trade agreement with Bhutan

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that the Bangladesh-Bhutan Priority Trade Agreement (PTA) will further consolidate relations between the two countries in terms of mutual interests. She said this while addressing the first PTA signing ceremony of Bangladesh with Bhutan on a virtual platform from Ganobhaban on Sunday.

The Prime Minister said, now is the time for us to make our extraordinary relationship more meaningful for the mutual benefit and for the overall betterment and welfare of the citizens of both the countries. In this spirit, we have signed the PTA with Bhutan today. Under the agreement, a wide range of products from Bangladesh and Bhutan will have duty-free access to each other's markets. The agreement also provides for the inclusion of additional lists on the basis of mutual consent. This is a historic moment for Bangladesh as we are signing our first PTA with any country in the world. And Bhutan is the first country to recognize Bangladesh as an independent and sovereign country at the end of our liberation war in 1971.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from Ganobhaban and the Prime Minister of Bhutan. Lotte Schering attended the virtual event via video conference from the country's capital, Thimphu. Bhutan was also attached to the other end of the main program at the Bangladesh Foreign Service Academy in the capital.Bangladesh's Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi and Bhutan's Finance Minister Leonpo Loknath Sharma signed the agreement on behalf of their respective countries.

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, Bhutanese Foreign Minister Tandy Darji and Finance Minister Leonpo Loknath Sharma spoke on the occasion. Bangladesh Commerce Secretary Zafar Uddin delivered the welcome address on the occasion. The signing ceremony was attended by PM's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, FBCCI President Sheikh Fazle Fahim, Bhutan's Ambassador to Bangladesh Kusab Rinchen Quentil and Bangladesh's Ambassador to Bhutan AKM Shahidul Karim.

On the occasion, on the occasion of the historic day of Bangladesh Bhutan relations, the Prime Ministers of both the countries unveiled a logo and cut separate cakes.

According to Commerce Ministry sources, Bhutan has agreed to provide tariffs on the export of 100 different Bangladeshi products, including ready-made garments, processed agricultural products and electronics. On the other hand, 34 Bhutanese products including fruits will get the same benefits in Bangladesh. More products will be added to the list of the two countries through later discussions. Through this agreement, the journey of signing bilateral PTA and FTA of Bangladesh will start.

Recalling the contribution of Bhutan's third king and people in the liberation war of Bangladesh, the Prime Minister said, Indeed, Bhutan has a special place in the heart of Bangladesh and a permanent place in the history of Bangladesh.

Recalling the recognition of Bhutan on this day in 1971, the Prime Minister said that they were then in a one-storey house in the capital with three-month-old baby Sajeeb Wazed Joy and other family members, including baby Russell, being held captive by Pakistani forces. Sheikh Kamal and Sheikh Jamal fled and went to the war of liberation. They got this news while sitting on the floor that day.

Sheikh Hasina said, I forgot all our sorrows and sufferings at that moment, we gave a shout, a shout and a cry, which I will never forget. It was one of those moody times where he would break into endless soliloquy with himself. It was an inspiring, inspiring and joyful event that I cannot express in words. '

Describing the link between Bangladesh and Bhutan as very ancient the Prime Minister said the areas of our cooperation today in common cultural values, traditions and geopolitical realities are trade, tourism, hydropower, climate change impact, health, biodiversity, agricultural processing, agriculture, ICT, education, water resources management. And has expanded in many more cases.

Sheikh Hasina said, I believe that after the implementation of this agreement, the people of Bangladesh will have the opportunity to buy fresh apples, oranges and other fresh fruits and vegetables from Bhutan and the fashion conscious people of Bhutan will be able to buy more quality clothes from Bangladesh. Infrastructure projects in Bangladesh can benefit from the use of Bhutanese stone and medicines in Bangladesh can contribute to Bhutan's health sector.

The Prime Minister said, We are developing Chilmari port in Bangladesh, Pangaon in Narayanganj is also open to Bhutan. Not only that, our three ports Chittagong, Mongla, Bhutan can be used if you want. It is being developed to develop our Syedpur Airport as a regional airport, which is open to Bhutan.

Bhutan's Prime Minister. In his speech, Lotte Shering recalled his stay in Bangladesh during his 10 years of study at Mymensingh Medical College and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) and referred to Bangladesh as his 'second home'. Talking to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh this morning, she expressed her gratitude for her motherly attitude and expressed satisfaction that it could be a part of history on the eve of the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation and the golden jubilee of Bangladesh's independence. Lotte Shering also mentioned that the hospitality shown to him during his recent visit to Bangladesh was an expression of the depth of relations between the two countries.

The Prime Minister of Bhutan said, Bangladesh has always stood by Bhutan despite various adversities. And the signing of this agreement is Bangladesh's recognition of taking Bhutan more seriously.