‘Bhutan keen to sign FTA with Bangladesh’

Bhutan is keen to sign  a free trade agreement (FTA) with Bangladesh to boost economic relation between the two countries, the Economic Affairs Minister of Bhutan said here  on Saturday.
Lynopo Khandu Wangchuk spoke of Bhutan’s keenness during his meeting with the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) at the DCCI auditorium this morning. DCCI president Zafar Osman chaired the meeting.
The Bhutanese Minister said they had proposed a free trade agreement with Bangladesh and the Bangladesh government also showed a positive attitude.
He also said that Bhutan has undertaken a plan to produce 10,000 MW of hydroelectricity in the next 12 years and sought investment from Bangladesh in this regard.
Regarding the foreign direct investment (FDI) in Bhutan, the Minister said they are revising the current FDI policy and hope that it would be finalized in a couple of months.
“We are revising our FDI policy,” we have to open up our FDI.” He also offered a joint collaboration tourism system between Bhutan and Bangladesh. “Under this system, we will encourage tourists in Bhutan to visit Bangladesh and the same will be done from Bangladesh,” he said.
Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk urged the private sector from both countries to come forward to increase the trade volume between two countries. In 2007-08 fiscal, Bangladesh imported goods worth US$ 13.73 million from Bhutan while its exports to Bhutan amounted to only US$ 1.35 million.
Earlier report adds: Business leaders of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) emphasised on accelerating the connectivity with Bhutan.
Terming Bhutan as a promising trade partner the FBCCI leaders urged their counterparts to come forward for solving existing problems in enhancing bilateral trade.
The business leaders were speaking at a discussion meeting with a visiting high-powered delegation of Bhutan on Saturday at FBCCI Board Room.
Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk, minister of economic affairs of Bhutan led the eight-member delegation.  Annisul Huq, president, FBCCI chaired the meeting while the senior directors of FBCCI attended.
Bap Kesang, ambassador of the Bhutanese Embassy, officials of Bhutan Finance Ministry, leaders of Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the representatives of tourism sector of Bhutan attended the meeting. 
Welcoming the delegation Annisul Huq, president of FBCCI appraised about the present economic situation of Bangladesh and the impressive investment opportunity available here. Mentioning the trade gap between the two neighbouring countries Mr. Huq emphasised on connectivity to accelerate bilateral trade with Bhutan.
Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk, Minister of Economic Affairs of Bhutan also expressed his interest for working on better connectivity between Bangladesh and Bhutan. Mr. Wangchuk invited foreign investors to invest in Bhutan as their new government has been liberalising its economy.
The Bhutan Minister mentioned that Bhutan did not impose any duty for Bangladeshi products exported to Bhutan. He requested Bangladesh to ease the duty structure for Bhutanese products exporting to Bangladesh. Regarding transit issue, the Bhutan minister emphasised on working jointly with the private sector of both countries. 
Bap Kesang, ambassador of the Bhutanese Embassy and Abdul Matlub Ahmad, Abdul Haque and Kamal Uddin Ahmed, directors of FBCCI also spoke on the occasion.
 
Courtesy of UNB, Dhaka