Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay has expressed a strong desire to establish a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Bangladesh and explore deeper economic collaboration between the two South Asian nations.
The Bhutanese premier shared his intention during a bilateral meeting with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly session at the UN Headquarters in New York.
Highlighting opportunities for enhanced economic cooperation, Prime Minister Tobgay proposed linking Bhutan’s Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), a designated Special Economic Zone (SEZ), with the SEZ in Kurigram, Bangladesh—recently allocated by Dhaka specifically for Bhutanese investors.
This connection could serve as a catalyst for trade and investment between the two nations,” Tobgay said, adding that both sides stand to benefit significantly from greater economic integration.
Chief Adviser Yunus welcomed the proposal, encouraging both countries to explore broader avenues for collaboration. “Stronger trade ties and improved connectivity could take Bangladesh-Bhutan relations to new heights,” he remarked.
In addition to economic issues, the Bhutanese prime minister emphasized Bhutan’s potential as a destination for religious tourism, noting the historical influence of Bangladeshi Buddhist monks in spreading the faith in his country.
Tobgay also expressed Bhutan’s willingness to collaborate in the energy sector, offering access to the country’s vast hydroelectric resources. He further extended an invitation to Bangladeshi pharmaceutical firms to invest in Bhutan, citing mutual benefits.
He also called for Bangladesh’s assistance in developing fiber optic infrastructure to strengthen Bhutan’s digital connectivity.
The two leaders discussed several regional issues, including the ongoing Rohingya crisis. Prime Minister Tobgay confirmed Bhutan’s participation in the upcoming UN plenary session on the Rohingya situation, scheduled for September 30.
In a personal gesture, Tobgay praised Muhammad Yunus’s leadership, describing him as a “role model” and affectionately referring to him as “My Professor.” He also applauded the architectural design of Bangladesh’s newly inaugurated chancery in Thimphu, which symbolizes the theme “Bay of Bengal at the Foothills of the Himalayas.”
The Chief adviser extended an invitation for the Bhutanese leader to visit Bangladesh. Tobgay accepted the offer, hinting that he may visit ahead of Bangladesh’s upcoming general elections scheduled for February next year.
