Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi has called upon the businessmen to take the lead in the expansion of trade between the two countries by taking advantage of the preferential trade and transit agreement signed between Bangladesh and Bhutan.
He made this call while addressing the opening ceremony of the three-day 'Bhutan Trade and Investment Fair',organized by the Bhutan Embassy in Dhaka at Gulshan shooting complex in the capital on Friday.
The commerce minister said Bangladesh and Bhutan signed the Preferential Trade Agreement-PTA in 2020 and the 'Traffic-in-Transit Agreement' on March 22 this year. These agreements will help to increase trade and economic activities between the two countries. Businessmen can use the facilities of PTA and transit agreements to develop business-to-business relations as well as to develop trade.
He said that under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has achieved unprecedented progress in the economic and social sectors including education, health, communication and infrastructure. Bangladesh has now emerged as the 35th largest economy in the world.
"We have now started the trillion dollar economic journey, emphasis should be placed on regional integration for the growth of economic activities, especially trade and investment. For this reason, regional integration, regional connectivity and inter-regional trade should be increased as well as mutual trust and confidence among the nearest neighbors", Minister added.
Tipu Munshi said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has established 100 Special Economic Zones in the country. Many of which have been launched. Economic zones have already been granted to India, Japan and South Korea. There is an opportunity to build an economic zone in Kurigram, very close to the Bhutan border. At the same time, Bhutan called on public and private investors to invest in these business-friendly economic areas.
Ambassador of Bhutan to Bangladesh, Rinchen Kuencil, Head of Resident Mission/Embassy, Business Chairperson and other business dignitaries were present on the occasion.
