PTI

Bhutan-Bangladesh trade grows over the years

Sun, Nov 8 09:24 AM

Thimphu, Nov 8 (PTI) Trade between Bhutan and Bangladesh, which signed a renewed bilateral trade agreement, has grown substantially over the past few years. The deal was signed by Bhutan Economic Affairs Minister Khandu Wangchuk and Bangladeshi Commerce Minister Mohammed Faruk Khan in presence of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Bhutanese counterpart Jigmi Y Thinley here yesterday.

The first bilateral trade agreement between the two countries was signed in 1980. However, the two countries could start trading only eight years later.

In 1988, the value of trade between Bhutan and Bangladesh was about Nu 30 million. But trade between the two countries grew steadily.

In 2004, the two countries carried out trade worth around Nu 300 million. Last year, it exceeded Nu 750 million.

Bhutan exports agriculture, horticulture and mineral products and imports melamine kitchen utensils, garments, carpets, pharmaceuticals and processed food. Director General of the Department of Trade Sonam P Wangdi said most Bhutanese use the land route to trade with Bangladesh.

He said the office is working to make land transitory smoother and more efficient. Bhutan and Bangladesh also discussed possibility of a road link between the two countries through India.

The number of trade commodities was increased to 90, Wangchuk said, adding Bangladesh has also agreed to provide duty free access to 18 commodities from Bhutan.

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