The Royal Government of Bhutan and the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh held the 6thBangladesh-Bhutan Commerce Secretary Level Meeting (CSLM) from 21-22 December 2017 in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.
The Bangladeshi delegation was led by H.E. Mr. Shubhashish Bose, Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and Bhutanese delegation was led by Dasho Yeshi Wangdi, Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Royal Government of Bhutan.
The main objective of the meeting is to promote trade and commerce between the two countries. The meeting reviewed the decisions taken during the last Commerce Secretary Level Meeting and discussed issues pertaining to trade, transit, investment and tourism, including operationalization of three MoUs which were signed during the visit of Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh to Bhutan in April 2017.
The Bilateral Trade Agreement between Bhutan and Bangladesh was initially signed in 1980. Since then, trade between the two countries has grown steadily over the years. In 2016, total trade value between the two countries touched Nu. 2,616.13 million Recording 31% increase from Nu. 1,987.12 million In 2015. Currently, Bangladesh is the second largest export destination for Bhutan.
The last Commerce Secretary Level Meeting was held in Thimphu in March 2017.