Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay said enhanced regional connectivity can unlock new opportunities for trade and investment between Bangladesh and Bhutan during a bilateral meeting in the capital, according to a press release issued by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA).
He said the Special Economic Zone in Kurigram, being developed under a government-to-government partnership, has the potential to become a transformative project once linked with Bhutan’s upcoming Gelephu Mindfulness City. He said the Kurigram–Gelephu corridor would support smoother trade flows and stronger industrial collaboration between the two countries, said the release.
BIDA and Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to fast-tracking development work at the Kurigram Economic Zone to maximise the benefits of the cross-border linkage.
“Kurigram and Gelephu can become complementary engines of a shared economic future,” he said, adding that Bangladesh brings scale, skilled labour and global market access, while Bhutan contributes values of sustainability, innovation and wellness. He said both sides can build a new model of cross-border economic cooperation.
Prime Minister Tobgay expressed interest in opportunities for Bhutanese investors in Bangladesh’s financial sector and said he plans to send a high-level business delegation to identify priority sectors, with a particular focus on banking and financial services.
Bangladesh briefed the visiting team on ongoing regulatory and institutional reforms, including tax measures, simpler repatriation processes and improved port efficiency, as part of its strategy to strengthen its position as a regional investment hub.
Both sides also discussed shared cultural and historical ties during the meeting.
The Bhutanese delegation included Ambassador Rinchen Kuentsyl and senior officials from the Ministries of Health, Commerce and Industry. The Bangladesh delegation comprised representatives from BIDA, BEZA, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Bangladesh in Bhutan.
