Bhutan’s Prime Minister, Tshering Tobgay and Bangladesh’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina agreed that there is a need to expand the list of products- free of tax and duty- the two countries enjoy.
Bangladesh currently offers 18 products free of tariff to Bhutan. Bhutan also offers some products free of tariff to Bangladesh.
Bhutan’s total trade volume with Bangladesh is worth Nu. 1.6 BN .
The two governments also agreed to continue discussion to move towards free trade agreement.
The Economic Affairs Minister, Norbu Wangchuk, who is also accompanying the Prime Minister to Bangladesh, said the agreement Bhutan has with Bangladesh is preferential agreement. He said both the countries now feel the need to graduate from preferential to a free trade regime.
Lyonpo said once the free trade regime has been achieved then all the products that crosses the border of the two countries would attract duty exemption.
