As the shortage of entry-exit ports is one of the main issues when it comes to trade with Bangladesh, Bhutanese exporters are now suggesting exploring railway connectivity. Bhutanese regulators also asked for an extension, for the use of uncertified packing boxes used in exporting oranges. These were discussed during the Bhutan-Bangladesh business dialogue held in Phuentsholing and Gelephu in the last two days.
During the meeting yesterday in Phuentsholing, connectivity was discussed as a major topic. Officials and exporters gathered at the meeting shared that exploring railway connectivity for trade has many benefits for both countries.
Bhutan Export Association’s General Secretary Tshering Yeshi said, “We would like to seek your support in the notification of this railway connectivity. Of course, we have made rigorous efforts from our side with the Government of India. We also need support from the Government of Bangladesh, so that this will not only help exporters from Bhutan but also ease traffic congestion for both export and import in the existing ports.”
“The most critical issue is the port where we unload to the Bangladeshi. Now, a few of our members are suggesting that we should also send the goods through the railway where there are railways nearby in India so that a lot of costs can be saved,” said BCCI’s president Tandy Wangchuk.
Meanwhile, the Bangladeshi ambassador to Bhutan said that such meetings are important to understand the issues and challenges faced by the two countries.
Bangladeshi Ambassador to Bhutan, Shib Nath Roy said, “We arranged the meeting practically to understand and know the problems, advantages, and disadvantages. So today, we discussed connectivity, import and export diversification, and logistics.”
In Gelephu, some boulder exporters said that their payment documents for boulder exported a few years ago have already expired and that they are not able to claim their amounts. Some also pointed out the issue related with delayed payments.
“We are trying our best to connect with importers in Bangladesh but we haven’t heard back from them and our bills are still unpaid even after almost two years,” said Chencho Gyeltshen, a boulder exporter in Gelephu.
“We are facing problems in getting our payments on time. We shall remain grateful if the Bangladeshi government could facilitate us in getting genuine importers,” said Karma Tenzin, another boulder exporter in Gelephu.
In response Bangladeshi officials asked Bhutanese exporters to submit the concern in writing so that could work on it.
Meanwhile, the officials of Regional Agricultural Marketing and Cooperatives in Sarpang acknowledged the Bangladeshi government for approving uncertified packaging boxes for orange export and sought an extension of another two to three years to allow such boxes for orange export.
The Bangladeshi officials urged the Bhutanese counterparts to speed up the development of infrastructure to produce certified boxes and not always ask for a waiver on the international export standards.
“Sometimes if there’s a fungal infection and if some other criteria are not fulfilled, and if agencies find out something wrong, then it will be bad for both the countries. We don’t want to put ourselves in this situation. The extension is going on but our request to you is not to try only for the extension,” said Sujan Debnath, the Counsellor and Head of Chancery at the Embassy of Bangladesh in Bhutan.
Attendees from both countries said the meeting marks a positive step toward deepening trade between the two nations and a commitment to further economic collaboration in the future.
Karma Wangdi/ Kinley Dem
Edited by Kipchu
