Diplomatic Desk:
Commercial Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir paid a courtesy call on Bhutanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Dasho Karma Hamu Dorji at the Secretariat on Tuesday (April 28, 2026).
The meeting discussed various aspects of strengthening regional cooperation, in addition to expanding bilateral trade and investment between the two countries. Joint ventures in renewable energy, especially solar and hydropower, were also emphasized.
The Commerce Minister said that although the combined GDP of South Asian countries is about US$ 59 trillion, mutual trade is only close to 1 percent, which is very low compared to the potential. In this situation, strengthening trade relations between neighboring countries is essential.
The Commerce Minister said that Bangladesh wants to utilize regional potential by building effective economic partnerships with neighboring countries. He stressed on increasing cooperation in the energy sector and said that setting up short-distance hydropower plants in border areas could be mutually beneficial.
Congratulating Bhutanese Ambassador Khandaker Abdul Muktadir on being appointed as the Minister of Commerce, he said that Bhutan’s bilateral trade relations with Bangladesh are quite close. They are interested in strengthening this relationship further.
He said that the distance from the Burimari border of Bangladesh to Bhutan is about one hundred kilometers. Being a nearby country, trade and investment between the two countries is convenient and profitable. He said that students come to study in Bangladesh’s medical colleges and return to Bhutan to serve the people of that country. This also exchanges the cultures of the two countries.
Additional Secretary (FTA) of the Ministry of Commerce Ayesha Akhtar and Minister Counselor (Trade) of Bhutan Dawa Tshering were present in the meeting.
