BAngladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has extended an invitation to Bhutan, offering the opportunity to establish an economic zone within Bangladesh for the benefit of both countries.
During a meeting between Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema, held at the Claridge Hotel in the UK, PM proposed the creation of the “Bhutan Economic Zone” in Bangladesh. Welcoming the Bhutanese royal couple upon their arrival, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, accompanied by her sister Sheikh Rehana, expressed her willingness to facilitate the establishment of the economic zone.
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen later briefed reporters on the 50-minute meeting, where the PM informed King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck that Bangladesh had already allocated economic zones to India, Japan, and South Korea. In response to the Bhutanese king’s desire to develop an administrative economic zone in Bhutan while prioritizing environmental preservation, PM suggested Kurigram as a potential location for the proposed economic zone.
Highlighting Bangladesh’s commitment to fostering communication and connectivity with neighbouring nations, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina emphasized that Bangladesh serves as a vital hub, offering Bhutan access to two ports and the Syedpur International Airport.
Foreign Minister Momen revealed that the Bhutanese royal couple highly praised Bangladesh’s remarkable economic progress under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. During the meeting, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck expressed his aspiration for direct transit routes through both Bangladesh and India. In response, Prime Minister Hasina expressed her willingness to engage in discussions with India, if necessary, to facilitate Bhutan’s transit requirements.
The Bhutanese monarch also highlighted the special bond between Bhutan and Bangladesh, as the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Bhutan had both studied in Bangladesh. The king expressed a desire for private visits to Bangladesh, which Prime Minister Hasina warmly welcomed, assuring them of her open-door policy.
The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss personal and family matters, as the Bhutanese king and queen consider Prime Minister Hasina their maternal aunt. Notable attendees at the meeting included Prime Minister’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam, Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, Prime Minister’s Speechwriter M Nazrul Islam, and Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK Saida Muna Tasneem.
