The first Joint Working Group on Transit Agreement and its related protocol between the Royal Government of Bhutan and the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh was held on 30 November 2017, in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
The Bangladeshi delegation was led by Shafiqual Islam, Additional Secretary (FTA Wing), Ministry of Commerce, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and Bhutanese delegation was led by Mr. Sonam Tenzin, Director, Department of Trade for the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Royal Government of Bhutan.
The main objective of the meeting was to discuss and finalize the Transit Agreement between the two countries. The meeting reviewed and discussed on the provisions of the draft Agreement which are of mutual interest to both the countries. The Transit Agreement once finalized would enable Bhutan to use Mongla and Chittagong port for international trade.
The Transit Agreement between Bhutan and Bangladesh was initially signed in 1980 and expired in 2000.
The next meeting of the JWG will be held in Bhutan.