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Bangladesh and Bhutan Saturday took fresh steps to deepen bilateral cooperation as the two countries signed accords on health collaboration and cross-border digital connectivity meant to integrate the eastern Himalayas and the Bay of Bengal.
The couple of agreements, marking the official visit of Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay to Bangladesh, followed talks between the two countries.
Prceding the signing of the Memoranda of Understanding, formal talks were held between Prime Minister Tobgay and Bangladesh's Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, at the Chief Adviser's Office in Tejgaon.
At the meeting Bangladesh and Bhutan emphasised immediate launching of formal discussion on a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA).
The two leaders discussed a wide range of issues covering the entire spectrum of Bangladesh-Bhutan relations, including trade, energy, education, tourism, internet cooperation, transport, healthcare, environment, water resources, investment, and aviation.
Bangladesh and Bhutan previously concluded a preferential trade agreement in 2020.
Prime Minister Tobgay said Thimphu wants to sign the FTA "as quickly as possible" and hopes Bhutan will become the first country to conclude a free trade deal with Bangladesh. He added that the FTA would boost trade and investment between the two nations.
Describing Bhutan as "a very important friend of Bangladesh," Professor Yunus said Bhutan is a key part of Dhaka's vision for a regional trade and economic cooperation.
"Our future is to build together. Geography and nature have brought us together. Our destiny is to build the future together," the Chief Adviser said, noting the shared history between the two nations.
The first MoU focuses on the appointment and exchange of health professionals between the two countries. It was signed by Md Saidur Rahman, Secretary of Bangladesh's Health Services Division, and representatives of Bhutan's Ministry of Health.
Officials say the agreement is intended to strengthen ties in areas such as medical staffing, capacity-building and-collaborative responses to public-health challenges.
"With both countries grappling with shortages of skilled health workers and rising demand for specialised services, the partnership is expected to help ease pressure on health systems and expand opportunities for training and professional mobility," says an official account of the tie-up.
The second MoU, covering trade in international internet bandwidth and other telecommunications services, signals a push toward greater digital integration in the eastern Himalayas and the Bay of Bengal region. Abdun Naser Khan, Secretary of Bangladesh's Posts and Telecommunications Division, inked the agreement on behalf of Dhaka. Bhutan, which relies heavily on imported bandwidth, is expected to benefit from more reliable and potentially more cost-effective connectivity, while Bangladesh sees the deal as part of its broader strategy to become a regional hub for digital infrastructure.
Prime Minister Tobgay arrived in Dhaka in the morning on a two-day state visit at the invitation of Chief Adviser Yunus. The head of interim government received him at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, where the two leaders held a brief conversation in the VIP lounge.
Tobgay expressed condolences over the loss of life and property caused by Friday's earthquake, assuring Bangladesh of Bhutan's solidarity with the affected families.
Following the welcome at the lounge, Tobgay was accorded a ceremonial reception that included a 19-gun salute and a guard of honour.
Airport ceremony over, he drove to the National Martyrs' Memorial in Savar, where he paid homage to the martyrs of the Liberation War by laying a wreath and planting a tree on the memorial grounds-gestures that have become customary for visiting heads of government and underscore the symbolism that Bangladesh attaches to its liberation history.
Later in the afternoon, Bhutan's Prime Minister had meetings with Foreign Adviser M. Touhid Hossain and Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin, who briefed him on the interim government's priorities and the scope for expanding cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity and labour mobility.
Both sides noted the importance of regional partnerships at a time of economic uncertainty and geopolitical flux.
The day's business concluded with an official banquet hosted in honour of the visiting leader.
Officials from both governments said the visit, though brief, reflects a shared commitment to strengthening practical cooperation in health, technology and economic ties at a time when regional collaboration is increasingly essential.
Meanwhile, Bhutan has shown interest in signing free-trade agreement (FTA) with Bangladesh apart from a preferential trade agreement (PTA) existing between the two next-door neighbours.
The bilateral issue was discussed at a courtesy meeting between Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin of Bangladesh interim government at the intercontinental hotel later in the day.
"The bilateral relation between the two nations is excellent. Expanded trade would add new momentum between two nations," the Bhutanese premier was quoted as saying.
He mentioned the existing PTA with Bangladesh and said that Bhutan is interested to sign FTA, too, with Bangladesh.
Expressing gratitude to Bangladesh for allocating a special economic zone in Kurigram, Mr. Tobgay said several activities have already begun in this zone.
He also highlighted Bhutan's plan to develop biodiversity-focused Gelephu Mindfulness City, which will require large volumes of construction materials. The country is keen to source these materials, along with pharmaceuticals, ceramics, RMG and electronics, from Bangladesh.
Inviting more visitors from Bangladesh to Bhutan, he says the Bhutanese government has fixed a sustainable development fee for tourists.
The commerce adviser hopes Bangladesh -Bhutanese bilateral trade would be much stronger by increasing trade volume.
Mentioning the proposed FTA, Mr. Uddin said the agreement issue would get priority in the upcoming commerce secretary- level meeting of two countries.
He stresses more trade visits and exchanging experiences between the two nations.
The commerce adviser mentions that Bangladesh is now producing world-class pharmaceuticals, ceramic products, ready-made garments and construction materials and urges the Bhutanese government to take the opportunity to expand bilateral trade by importing these products from Bangladesh.
Bangladesh commerce secretary Mahbubur Rahman, Bhutan's Foreign Affairs and External Trade Minister Lyonpo DN Dhungyel and Industry, Commerce and Employment Minister Lyonpo Namgyal Dorji were present at the high-profile meeting.
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