Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay concluded the first day of his two-day state visit to Bangladesh on Saturday (October 22), by witnessing the signing of two pivotal Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) designed to boost cooperation in health and digital connectivity between the two nations.

The agreements were formalized following extensive bilateral talks between Prime Minister Tobgay and Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus at the Chief Adviser’s Office in Tejgaon, Dhaka. The first MoU, focusing on the Appointment of Health Workforce, was signed by Md Saidur Rahman, Secretary of Bangladesh’s Health Services Division, and Bhutan’s Ministry of Health. This accord is expected to facilitate the deployment of Bangladeshi healthcare professionals in the Himalayan kingdom.

 The second MoU, concerning the Trade of International Internet Bandwidth and Other Telecommunication Services, was signed by Abdun Naser Khan, Secretary of the Posts & Telecommunications Division on behalf of Bangladesh, paving the way for Bhutan to import international internet bandwidth.

During the formal talks, both leaders emphasized the urgency of launching discussions on a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA), building on the existing Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) signed in 2020. Prime Minister Tobgay expressed his country’s eagerness to sign the FTA “as quickly as possible,” highlighting that it would significantly boost trade and investment. Chief Adviser Dr. Yunus underscored Bhutan's importance in Dhaka's vision for regional economic cooperation, stating, "Our future is to build together."

Prime Minister Tobgay was received by Chief Adviser Dr. Yunus at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) yesterday morning, where he was accorded a 19-gun salute and a guard of honor. In a brief meeting at the airport's VIP lounge, the Bhutanese premier inquired about the damage and loss of lives caused by Friday's earthquake and offered his condolences. Later in the day, he paid homage to the martyrs of Bangladesh’s Liberation War at the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar. The visiting Prime Minister also held meetings with Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain and Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin, before attending an official banquet in his honor in the evening.

The visit, which is scheduled to conclude today, is being seen as a crucial step in cementing strategic and economic ties between Bangladesh and Bhutan.

BOB Post