DHAKA, Dec 6 (BSS) – Bhutanese Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering today lauded Bangladesh for making striking economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic crediting the success to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s leadership.
“Despite numerous challenges, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina successfully carried forward the vision and legacy of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. People of Bangladesh will remember you forever,” said Dr Tshering.
Expressing his desire to deepen friendship and cooperation with Bangladesh, he said “Bangladesh is always very close to my heart”.
The Bhutanese Prime Minister was addressing the signing ceremony of maiden Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between Bangladesh and Bhutan virtually marking the 50th year of the recognition of Bangladesh by Bhutan.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina joined the event virtually from Dhaka.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, Bhutanese Foreign Minister Lyonpo Dr Tandi Dorji, Economic Affairs Minister Lyonpo Lonath Sharma and senior officials including the Foreign and Commerce Secretaries of Bangladesh joined it from the respective sides.
Dr Tshering congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for successfully handling the coronavirus situation in Bangladesh.
He said the historic occasion came when Bangladesh is celebrating birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and 50 years of Bangladesh Independence to be celebrated next year.
“I feel fortunate to be part of the history,” he added.
“We all know the contributions and sacrifices that you (Hasina), your family and many of others made,” said the Bhutanese Prime Minister.
He said he spent seven years in Mymensing Medical College and three years in Dhaka and for that period Bangladesh became his second home.
“Today is a very significant day and I am very happy to talk to Prime Minister Hasina earlier in the morning,” he said.
“Thank you for your motherly affection to me and for the relations of our two countries,” said the Bhutanese Prime Minister.
Extending his tanks to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for extending support to Bhutan always, Dr Tshering laid emphasis on further strengthening it.
He hoped that the rest of the formalities of the signed PTA will be completed soon.
“The agreement will help strengthen the relationship between the two countries,” he added.
Bhutan was the first country to recognise the independence of Bangladesh on December 6, 1971.
The two countries will also be organising a series of events throughout the coming year to commemorate the special occasion.
Under the PTA, Bhutan will enjoy duty-free export of 16 products in addition to the already existing 18 products to Bangladesh.
Ten more products from Bangladesh will enjoy duty-free export to Bhutan, in addition to the already 90 existing products.