The National Council unanimously accepted all amendments proposed by the National Assembly on the Agreement on the Movement of Traffic-in-Transit between Bangladesh and Bhutan today. The agreement intends to establish a comprehensive framework to enhance connectivity between the two countries through various modes of transportation such as road, rail, air, river, and coastal waterways. The Economic Affairs Committee highlighted the benefits the agreement will have for the private sector.
“The agreement will enable the private sector to get market access in third countries. Bangladesh has given us 3 seaports and 15 entry and exit points which will reduce the transportation cost that will also benefit the private sector,” said MP Jamyang Namgyal of the NC’s Economic Affairs Committee.
“The products and goods will be stored in Bangladesh and distributed from there in the international markets. This will reduce the price of goods. Not only that, we can sell more products which will be beneficial for us. Similarly, the price of commodities will be lesser when we import which will also benefit our people,” said the committee’s Deputy Chairperson, Tshewang Rinchen.
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 last year.
The house will formally adopt the Agreement on a later date.
Karma Wangdi & Singye Dema
Edited by Phub Gyem
