Press Release

Her Excellency Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh arrived in the country today with delegation comprising of the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh and other senior government officials of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. Her Excellency was received by Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay Prime Minister of Bhutan and senior government officials at the Paro International Airport. Her Excellency was presented with the Guard of Honour and greeted by hundreds of school students.

After arrival at Thimphu, Her Excellency received an audience with His Majesty the King at the Tashichhodzong. Her Excellency also met with Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay and held wide ranging bilateral discussions on all aspects of bilateral relations including trade, education, health, tourism, agriculture and connectivity.

In the evening, representatives of the Royal Government of Bhutan and the People’s Republic of Bangladesh signed two agreements and four Memorandum of Understandings in the presence of the Prime Ministers of Bangladesh and Bhutan.

Renewal of Agreement on Culture Cooperation between the Royal Government of Bhutan and the Government of People’s Republic of Bangladesh: The Agreement will encourage hosting of cultural art exhibitions, provide support through scholarships, training and research in the field of art and culture. It will strengthen cooperation in the field of culture, promote mutual understanding and knowledge between the peoples of the two countries.

Agreement between Royal Government of Bhutan and the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh for Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect of Taxes on Income: The Agreement will clarify the taxing rights of both countries on forms of income flows arising from cross-border business activities. The agreement will minimize the double taxation of such income which is expected to reduce the barriers to cross-border investment and boost trade and economic flows between the two countries.

MoU on Use of Inland waterways for Transportation of Bilateral Trade and Transit Cargoes between the Royal Government of Bhutan and the Government of People’s Republic of Bangladesh: The MoU will serve as an instrument to initiate the use of feasible inland water transport routes for trade between the two countries.

MoU between Royal University of Bhutan (RUB), Bhutan and Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD), Comilla, Bangladesh: The MoU will establish  mutual  collaboration and  reinforce  the  academic  relationship  between the two institutions and  strengthen capacity  for  sustainable  development.

MoU between Bhutan Standards Bureau (BSB), Royal Government of Bhutan and Bangladesh Standards & Testing Institution (BSTI), Government of People’s Republic of Bangladesh: The MoU will assist the two agencies in the development of standards, exchange information on product certification, recognize test certificates and support each other in the field of metrology and calibration services.

MoU between Bhutan Agriculture and Food Regulatory Authority (BAFRA), Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Royal Government of Bhutan and the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Ministry of Agriculture, Government of People’s Republic of Bangladesh: The MoU will ensure that the trade of food and agricultural products between the two countries are safe and meet the requirements of the importing country.

Prime Minister Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay hosted a banquet in honour of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh at the Royal Banquet Hall.