Bhutan, Bangladesh mull road link via India

THIMPHU: Bhutan and Bangladesh today signed a renewed bilateral trade agreement to further enhance relations and discussed possibility of a road link between the two countries through India.

"Success in all these areas and the trade agreement is an initiative that will surely result in the harmonious growth of our countries. This will significantly increase the economic activities in Bangladesh and Bhutan," said Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after the renewed bilateral trade agreement was inked.

The deal was signed by Bhutan Economic Affairs Minister Khandu Wangchuk and Bangladeshi Commerce Minister Mohammed Faruk Khan in presence of Hasina and her Bhutanese counterpart Jigmi Y Thinley, state-run daily Kuensel reported.

Hasina, on a four-day visit to Bhutan since yesterday, and Thinley also discussed the possibility of a road between the two countries via India.

Hasina said the new agreement will "significantly increase economic activities between Bhutan and Bangladesh".

"With the signing of the renewed trade agreement, a new trade route has been opened for eastern Bhutan," she said.

The number of trade commodities was increased to 90, Wangchuk said, adding Bangladesh has also agreed to provide duty free access to 18 commodities from Bhutan.

Bhutan and Bangladesh signed the bilateral trade agreement in 1980. The agreement was first renewed in 2003.