Sunday, 23 November, 2025
Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus and Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay have discussed plans to begin formal negotiations on a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
According to a media statement from the Chief Advisor’s Office (CAO), the discussion took place during a meeting at the office in Tejgaon on Saturday.
The two countries had signed a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) in 2020.
Tobgay said Thimphu wants to sign the FTA “as quickly as possible” and hopes Bhutan will become the first country to conclude a free trade deal with Bangladesh, according to the statement.
The chief advisor said easing the transport of goods with Bhutan is Bangladesh’s “high priority”.
The two countries agreed to form a joint working group to boost two-way tourism. Yunus hoped more Bhutanese tourists would take an interest in exploring Bangladesh.
Yunus also noted that Bangladesh is building a 1,000-bed hospital and a medical college in the northern district of Nilphamari, and invited Bhutanese nationals to avail themselves of healthcare services and medical education at the upcoming facility, the CAO said.
After the talks, the two countries signed two memoranda of understanding (MoUs) --one on cooperation in healthcare service and another on trade in internet bandwidth. Both leaders were present at the signing ceremony.
Yunus expected more employment opportunities to open up for Bangladeshi doctors and health workers in Bhutan, particularly in the “Gelephu Mindfulness City”, a special administrative zone being developed in the country.
Under the internet bandwidth agreement, Bhutan will import bandwidth from Bangladesh. Foreign Advisor Touhid Hossain hoped the export would “strengthen Bhutan’s digital connectivity, and reduce the digital divide”.
Bangladesh made an announcement about increasing seats for Bhutanese students in medical colleges and at BUET.
Tobgay noted many of Bhutan’s top doctors are alumni of Bangladeshi medical institutions.
He outlined Bhutan’s progress on the “Gelephu Mindfulness City”, calling it a major economic hub, and sought Bangladesh’s support, including space in Narayanganj for handling Bhutanese cargo.
The two leaders also discussed the possibility of importing hydropower from Bhutan through a tripartite electricity trade arrangement involving India.
Tobgay had arrived at the CAO at 3:15pm. The two leaders first held a 30-minute one-to-one meeting, followed by a formal bilateral discussion that lasted for about an hour, the statement said.
Describing Bhutan as a “very important friend”, Yunus said the country is an important part of Dhaka’s vision for regional trade and economic cooperation.
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Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus and Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay have discussed plans to begin formal negotiations on a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
According to a media statement from the Chief Advisor’s Office (CAO), the discussion took place during a meeting at the office in Tejgaon on Saturday.
The two countries had signed a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) in 2020.
Tobgay said Thimphu wants to sign the FTA “as quickly as possible” and hopes Bhutan will become the first country to conclude a free trade deal with Bangladesh, according to the statement.
The chief advisor said easing the transport of goods with Bhutan is Bangladesh’s “high priority”.
The two countries agreed to form a joint working group to boost two-way tourism. Yunus hoped more Bhutanese tourists would take an interest in exploring Bangladesh.
Yunus also noted that Bangladesh is building a 1,000-bed hospital and a medical college in the northern district of Nilphamari, and invited Bhutanese nationals to avail themselves of healthcare services and medical education at the upcoming facility, the CAO said.
After the talks, the two countries signed two memoranda of understanding (MoUs) --one on cooperation in healthcare service and another on trade in internet bandwidth. Both leaders were present at the signing ceremony.
Yunus expected more employment opportunities to open up for Bangladeshi doctors and health workers in Bhutan, particularly in the “Gelephu Mindfulness City”, a special administrative zone being developed in the country.
Under the internet bandwidth agreement, Bhutan will import bandwidth from Bangladesh. Foreign Advisor Touhid Hossain hoped the export would “strengthen Bhutan’s digital connectivity, and reduce the digital divide”.
Bangladesh made an announcement about increasing seats for Bhutanese students in medical colleges and at BUET.
Tobgay noted many of Bhutan’s top doctors are alumni of Bangladeshi medical institutions.
He outlined Bhutan’s progress on the “Gelephu Mindfulness City”, calling it a major economic hub, and sought Bangladesh’s support, including space in Narayanganj for handling Bhutanese cargo.
The two leaders also discussed the possibility of importing hydropower from Bhutan through a tripartite electricity trade arrangement involving India.
Tobgay had arrived at the CAO at 3:15pm. The two leaders first held a 30-minute one-to-one meeting, followed by a formal bilateral discussion that lasted for about an hour, the statement said.
Describing Bhutan as a “very important friend”, Yunus said the country is an important part of Dhaka’s vision for regional trade and economic cooperation.
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