H.E. Mr. Loknath Sharma, Tengye Lyonpo is returning today after a weekend visit to Bangladesh to attend seminar on “Challenges of SDGs for Developing Countries and Way Forward” held on 2nd November 2019, on the invitation of International University of Business Agriculture and Technology (IUBAT) of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Professor Dr. Abdur Rab, the Vice Chancellor of IUBAT informed that the University will offer scholarships to Bhutanese students to study Business Agriculture and Technology in Dhaka from next academic session.
On 3rd November 2019, Hon’ble Tengye Lyonpo, as follow up to HPM’s state visit to Bangladesh in April 2019, called on H.E. Mr. Tipu Munshi, Hon’ble Minister for Commerce, H.E. Mr. Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, Hon’ble Minister for Shipping, and H.E. Mr. A.H.M Mustafa Kamal, Hon’ble Minister for Finance of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to discuss issues related to bilateral trade between the two countries, particularly on:
1.Easing use of inland waterways or riverine routes in Bangladesh for bilateral trade and transit cargoes;
2.Ongoing bilateral Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA); and
3.Agreement on the Movement of Goods in Transit between the Bhutan and Bangladesh.
The Hon’ble Ministers of Bangladesh had agreed to resolve the problems raised, particularly on the issuance of Notification on Chilmari as Entry and Exit point and to provide Customs services at Chilmari to facilitate exports from Bhutan to Bangladesh, and to expedite discussions and signing of the two Agreements.