The Bangladesh’s Senior Secretary of Commerce Ministry, Mahbub Ahmed, said trading between Bhutan and Bangladesh not been satisfactory. He was speaking during the two-day Commerce Secretary Level Meeting, which began in Thimphu, today.
“You have the capacity to produce 30,000 megawatt of electricity. Bangladesh and Bhutan can jointly work together to increase the electricity production of Bhutan.”
Mahbub Ahmed said there are other areas, such as tourism, to explore, too. “We have the longest sea beach of the world. You have the Himalayas and other beautiful mountains. And we can also exchange expertise of relation in this area also.”
Bhutan and Bangladesh signed bilateral trade agreement in 1980. Bhutan’s total export to Bangladesh stood at Nu.1.17 Billion in 2012. Bhutan’s import in the same year was at Nu. 281.29.
This time’s meeting is to facilitate and promote smooth trading between the two countries. The meeting will also discuss about transit for trade issues.
The Bhutanese delegation is led by the Secretary of Economic Affairs Ministry, Dasho Sonam Tshering. The Bangladesh’s delegation is led by the Secretary of Commerce Ministry, Mahbub Ahmed.
Dasho Sonam Tshering said progress has been noticed in economic as well as political aspects. He said they are trying to maximize on the strength of both of the countries. “I don’t think trade in any manner is intended to where one party has an advantage over other and that it has been done in the spirit of mutual decisions.”
The Secretary also said tremendous emphasize have been given to nurture the bilateral relationship between the two countries.
Mahbub Ahmed said the volume of trade between the two countries should of foremost importance. “Which country exports more or which country import more is not very important to develop the relations between the two countries.”
Besides India, Bangladesh is Bhutan’s biggest trading partner.
