FE Report

Business leaders of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Saturday emphasised on accelerating the connectivity between Bangladesh and 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 high powered visiting delegation of Bhutan at FBCCI board room in the city.

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 & Industry and the resepensatives of tourism sector of Bhutan attended the meeting.

Welcoming the delegation Annisul Huq 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 emphasized on connectivity to acclerate bilateral trade with Bhutan. The FBCCI president hoped that the visit of this high powered delegation will bring a new blood in bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

Mr. 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 liberalizing its economy.

The Bhutan Minister mentioned that Bhutan did not impose any duty for Bangladeshi products to Bhutan. He requested Bangladesh to easy the duty structure for Bhutanese products exporting to Bangladesh. Regarding transit issue the Bhutan Minister emphasized on working jointly with the private sector of both countries.

Meanwhile, the president of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) Zafar Osman Saturday advised Bhutanese government and business leaders to import pharmaceuticals, ready-made garments and ceramics from Bangladesh.

He also suggested them to export hydropower to Bangladesh while his Bhutanese counterparts showed interest to work together for the development of tourism.

Mr Osman said these while an eight member delegation of Bhutan led by the Minister for Economic Affairs of Bhutan Lynopo Khandu Wangchuk called on DCCI Board of Directors at DCCI office. Bhutanese Ambassador in Bangladesh Dasho Bap Kesang was also present on the occasion.

"Bangladesh and Bhutan enjoys excellent friendly relationship," Mr Osman said adding that the bilateral trade volume between the two countries is far below the expected level.

He said Bhutan has a vast potential of exporting hydropower to Bangladesh as the country enjoys surplus production. .