Bangladesh-Bhutan will sign an agreement to increase the capacity of customs officials

Bangladesh-Bhutan will work to exchange information and reports related to customs and increase the capacity of customs officials of both countries. For this both sides have agreed to sign the Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement (CMAA). It has been informed that the agreement will be signed soon.

It was agreed in the 9th Commerce Secretary level meeting between Bangladesh and Bhutan. The meeting was held on April 24-25 in Thimphu, Bhutan. This information was informed in a circular sent by the Ministry of Commerce on Friday.

The Bangladesh delegation was led by Commerce Ministry Senior Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh and the Bhutanese delegation was led by the country’s Industry Trade and Employment Secretary Tashi Wangmo. Ambassadors of both countries participated in the delegation consisting of representatives of respective ministries of both countries.

In the opening speech of the meeting, the commerce secretaries of both countries expressed their satisfaction with the existing relations between the two countries. They expressed hope that this trend will continue in the future. In the meeting, both sides discussed various issues of mutual interest.

In particular, it was agreed on the reduction of tariff and non-tariff barriers to increase trade and increase export facilities, investment, transit and communication, electricity and energy cooperation, tourism, customs and land ports to eliminate existing challenges.

The Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce urged Bhutan to take necessary steps to rejoin the BBIN MVA framework with the aim of facilitating trade and commerce by increasing regional connectivity with neighboring countries. In response, Bhutan assured to consider the matter positively.

The commerce secretaries of both the countries expressed satisfaction over the significant increase in the volume of trade between the two countries as a result of the conclusion of the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA). Both sides agreed to include additional products under the existing Bangladesh-Bhutan Preferential Trade Agreement.

Besides, Bangladesh and Bhutan agreed to conduct trial export-import (trial run) for the implementation of the Traffic in Transit Agreement and its Protocols. Meanwhile, both the secretaries discussed the decisions taken during the visit of the King of Bhutan to Bangladesh.

Mrs. Tashi Wangmo, head of the Bhutanese delegation, pointed out that Bhutan has always closely followed Bangladesh’s industrial and commercial prosperity and socio-economic development and progress. Despite the corona pandemic, slow global growth and other geopolitical challenges, stable and sustainable development in Bangladesh is growing at a visible pace.

He said, as a close friend country, Bhutan has always supported Bangladesh in various global peace and progress needs including regional and international forums.

In addition to the Commerce Secretary level meeting, Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh met Bhutan’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Employment Namgel Darjee and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade DN Dhungel.

During the meeting, both the ministers appreciated the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for making progress in socio-economic development of Bangladesh in 15 years.

The Foreign Minister of Bhutan said that the re-inclusion of Bhutan as a full member in BBIN-MV is under consideration and the related activities are ongoing.

ZH/GKS