Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck's state visit to Bangladesh has further strengthened the “traditional ties of friendship, cooperation and goodwill” between the countries.
After his meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, both sides issued a joint statement acknowledging the progress made in the bilateral relations and setting targets for future collaborations.
The King arrived on Monday morning at the invitation of President Mohammed Shahabuddin, who received him at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in a state protocol.
Key events include paying tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, meeting with the prime minister.
The King will attend the National Day celebrations on Tuesday as a special guest.
The King witnessed the signing of MoUs related to cooperation in health, economic zones, and cultural affairs. Both nations pledge to increase educational opportunities and strengthen diplomatic training.
Trade, connectivity, and regional cooperation for mutual prosperity were the focus on his discussion with the prime minister.
The four-day visit of the King to Bangladesh is a testament of the close ties of friendship and goodwill that so happily exist between the two countries, according to the joint statement.
They will pay tribute to the memory of the sacrifices of the heroic freedom fighters of Bangladesh at the National Martyrs’ Memorial at Savar, which will include the laying of a wreath, signing the visitors’ book and planting of a sapling.
The King and the Queen will meet with the president at Bangabhaban.
The president will host a banquet on Tuesday in his honour.
The MoUs signed include: cooperation for the establishment of a Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit in Thimphu and health sector; cooperation on establishing Bhutanese Special Economic Zone in Kurigram, Bangladesh by Bhutan; MoU between Directorate of National Consumers Right Protection of Bangladesh and the Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority of Bhutan.
Agreement between Bangladesh and Bhutan on Cultural cooperation was renewed.
Both sides expressed satisfaction that annual intake of Bhutanese students for admission in MBBS in public medical colleges of Bangladesh has been increasing gradually.
To further consolidate the existing momentum of cooperation, Bangladesh offered to increase the number of annual MBBS seats for Bhutanese students to 30 from 22.
Both sides emphasized on strengthening the cooperation on capacity building between the government officials of the two countries.
As part of that, Bangladesh offered two seats to the Bhutanese Foreign Service Officers every year at the Foreign Service Academy of Bangladesh – the Diplomatic Training Institute for capacity building; Foreign Service Academy would also like to extend necessary assistance to Bhutan in setting up a Diplomatic Training Institute in Bhutan for their diplomats.
Bangladesh also offered special training to three batches of 7-10 Bhutanese Officials each year in Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC).
Bangladesh also gifted electronic devices (tabs and laptops) Made in Bangladesh with a view to contributing to the capacity building and skill development for the government officials of Bhutan as a special gesture of goodwill and friendship.
During the official meeting, the two sides expressed happiness on the current state of relation between Bangladesh and Bhutan, which is a very special one based on common history, geographical proximity, and the shared aspiration of the people for prosperity and development.
King Jigme expressed his deep appreciation for the cordial welcome and warm hospitality extended to him and the members of his delegation during their stay in Bangladesh.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recalled with gratitude the invaluable support of King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, the third King of Bhutan and the people of Bhutan during Bangladesh’s War of Independence.
She fondly recalled Bhutan being the first country to recognize Bangladesh as an independent country on December 6, 1971.
Both Bangladesh and Bhutan recognized with deep satisfaction the manner in which the historic ties between Bangladesh and Bhutan have evolved over the years into a mutually beneficial relationship, according to the joint statement.
They stated that the kinship, which is based on goodwill, friendship and understanding, is an example of good neighborliness, mutual respect, and cooperation.
Both sides expressed happiness that Bangladesh and Bhutan signed the Agreement on the Movement of Traffic-in-Transit and its Protocol in March 2023 which will usher in new horizons for bilateral trade and connectivity.
The Agreement and its Protocol will not only be phenomenal for bilateral trade but also will work as a platform for paving the way for an interconnected South Asia.
Both sides noted that regional and sub-regional connectivity are important means of economic integration and enhancing trade and commerce.
They noted with satisfaction that the collaborative efforts between the two sides in connectivity through roads, rail, and waterways will strengthen bilateral ties as well as foster regional integration and economic growth in South Asia.
Both sides expressed satisfaction at the increasing trend in trade between the countries in recent years.
They expressed satisfaction on the recent initiatives between the two countries for facilitating trade such as Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) – the first of its kind for the two countries, and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for seamless use of the inland waterways of Bangladesh.
Bhutan conveyed its appreciation to Bangladesh for offering the “Special Economic Zone” in Kurigram, in the northern part of Bangladesh, which is 190 kms from the southern city of Gelephu, Bhutan.
The King will visit the Special Economic Zone in Kurigram on March 28, before leaving the country using the Sonahat land port.
“The economic zone will add a new horizon in the area of bilateral trade and investment between the two countries and also for achieving greater prosperity in the South Asia region.”
Both sides underscored the importance of strengthening sub-regional cooperation in the energy sector among Bhutan, Bangladesh and India.
Both sides acknowledged that regional cooperation is very important for shared peace and prosperity in the region.
The King will visit Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn & Plastic Surgery in Dhaka on Tuesday and interact with the officials, doctors and students there.
They reiterated to further strengthen the people-to-people contact between Bangladesh and Bhutan by connecting the Himalayas in Bhutan with the longest sea beach in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.
Both sides agreed that the two countries can work together in the post-graduation context from the LDC to collaborate with each other for addressing the related challenges to ensure greater benefits for the peoples of the two countries.
During the visit, King Jigme will visit the Padma Bridge, a monumental infrastructural feat constructed entirely through the self-financing efforts of the Bangladesh government.
“This remarkable infrastructure project stands as a testament to Bangladesh's commitment to advancing connectivity and fostering economic growth.”
King Jigme will also visit a Special Economic Zone in Araihazar to witness firsthand the infrastructure and facilities there.
