The Bangladesh government has accepted the agreement on the movement of traffic-in-transit with Bhutan. The Industry, Commerce and Employment minister shared this during the National Council session today. He added that it will provide Bhutan with access to Bangladesh’s ports for export and import of goods to, from, and via Bangladesh. The agreement will also allow Bangladesh to export goods to other countries via Bhutan’s roads.
Introducing the agreement on the movement of traffic-in-transit between Bangladesh and Bhutan, Industry, Commerce and Employment Minister Karma Dorji said it will facilitate the transport of goods between the two countries through road, rail, air, river, and coastal waterways.
It will allow Bhutan access to 15 entry and exit points in Bangladesh for goods in transit.
The agreement also requires Bhutan to designate eight entry and exit points at Samdrup Jongkhar, Gelephu, Phuentsholing, Samtse, Pelzomthang in Nganglam, Phuentshogpelri and the Paro International Airport and Gelephu Airport.
Dagana’s Member of Parliament Berindra Chimoria expressed the need to add additional points of entry and exit in the agreement to improve the local economy.
“During the annual meeting between Bangladesh and Bhutan, the government could add Lhamoizingkha as another entry and exit point. Moreover, they can also add other entry points in Samdrup Jongkhar and Gelephu if they have such entry and exit points. This will benefit the economy of the locals and improve their income along with their living standards,” said the Dagana MP.
Similarly, Samdrup Jongkhar’s Member of Parliament added that increasing entry and exit points in the country will bring greater benefit to the people.
“Samdrup Jongkhar has only one entry and exit point. However, in the past, Samrang and Jomotsangkha also had routes to travel. If they are made into trade routes, it will benefit the farmers,” said MP Tshewang Rinchen.
In response, the minister assured that there is a possibility to include such routes as entry and exit points in the transit agreement.
“The route in Lhamoizingkha is not included in the agreement as it was not used during the time of signing the agreement. However, there is an opportunity to change and include these routes while discussing with India. From our side, we are willing to include it,” said Lyonpo Karma Dorji.
He added that the Lhamoizingkha route can be used for trade even if it is not included in the agreement.
Bhutan signed the first agreement on transit with Bangladesh in 1980 which expired in 2000.
Since then, Bhutan has repeatedly sought the renewal of the agreement. However, the two countries could come to a consensus to renew the agreement only in 2022.
The House of Review will continue its deliberation on the agreement tomorrow.
Karma Wangdi and Singye Dema
Edited by Phub Gyem
