DHAKA: Bangladesh-Bhutan commerce secretary-level meeting is scheduled to begin in Thimphu on Thursday, where Dhaka is set to place a couple of fresh agenda, including review of BBIN agreement and the related protocol, officials said.
Besides, other new agenda that the country will put in place during the two-day meeting are – long-term visas for Bangladeshi businessmen as well as amendment to description of HS code of some items like citrus fruit juice, pineapple and guava juice etc, they added.
Ministry of Commerce (MoC) officials in a meeting recently decided to discuss various issues in the meeting, which include – enhancing cooperation in tourism sector, cooperation between trade associations of the two countries and Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) and National Standard Body (NSB) of Bhutan, and use of inland water transport routes for bilateral trade and cargo transit.
The commerce secretary-level meeting will also review the decisions taken at the last such meeting in 2015.
Bangladesh imports fresh fruits, paper and paper boards, crushed stones, coffee and spices from Bhutan, and exports ready-made garments (RMG), pharmaceuticals, melamine, toilet soap, dry food, fruit juice and mineral water etc there.
Bangladesh exported goods worth US$ 4.74 million to land-locked Bhutan in the fiscal year (FY) 2015-16, against its import of $ 21.60 million during the period, showing a trade ratio of 1:4.55, according to Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI).
