Photo: MoFA

DHAKA, Aug 18, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh and Bhutan today agreed to deepen 
bilateral trade and private-sector cooperation, expand product coverage under 
their Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and explore the possibility of a 
Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

The issues figured prominently at the Fourth Foreign Office Consultations 
(FOC) between Bangladesh and Bhutan held in Dhaka, said a foreign ministry's 
statement here. 

Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam and his Bhutanese counterpart 
Pema Lektup Dorji co-chaired the consultations.

The meeting, held in a warm, cordial and constructive atmosphere, reviewed 
the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional 
and multilateral issues of mutual interest.

Both sides reaffirmed the longstanding bonds of friendship, trust and mutual 
respect between the two countries and expressed satisfaction over steady 
progress in bilateral cooperation.

The two sides reviewed cooperation in political affairs, trade and 
investment, connectivity, education, health, culture, tourism, agriculture 
and people-to-people exchanges.

They agreed to further strengthen high-level political engagements and 
regular consultations between the two governments while stressing the need to 
translate existing goodwill and political understanding into tangible 
benefits for the peoples of both countries.

The two sides also reiterated their commitment to expanding cooperation in 
culture, tourism, agriculture, human resource development, academic 
collaboration, institutional linkages, youth exchanges and sports.

Bangladesh expressed its support and interest in Bhutan's Gelephu Mindfulness 
City (GMC) initiative and welcomed its potential to contribute to sustainable 
development, regional connectivity and shared prosperity.

Dhaka also expressed interest in exploring opportunities for mutually 
beneficial cooperation under the initiative.

Bangladesh reiterated its commitment to expedite the operationalisation of 
the Bhutanese Special Economic Zone in Kurigram.

The two sides also exchanged views on strengthening regional cooperation 
under the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the 
Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic 
Cooperation (BIMSTEC) to promote greater regional integration.

Both sides expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the fourth FOC and 
reaffirmed their commitment to further deepening the close and mutually 
beneficial partnership between Bangladesh and Bhutan.

The next round of Foreign Office Consultations will be held in Thimphu at a 
mutually convenient date.