The Governments of Bhutan and Bangladesh held their 10th Commerce Secretary Level Meeting on 9-10 March 2026 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The agenda included cooperation under private sector collaboration, tourism, trade facilitation, and agriculture, as well as the proposal to add products under the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) 2020 to further enhance bilateral trade and explore the possibility of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

Key Meeting Outcomes

• The two nations will establish a Joint Trade Committee (JTC) under their 2020 Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) to expedite trade issues, explore a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), and review adding new products.
• They agreed to sign a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote cooperation between their respective tourism departments.
• Bangladesh offered Pangaon Port as an alternative hub for Bhutanese cargo to ease congestion at Narayanganj port, pending upcoming site visits by Bhutanese officials.
• Both countries will pursue a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) for standards and certification between the Bhutan Standards Bureau and the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution.
• Officials will reconstitute the International Banking Sub-Committee Group to resolve payment challenges for Bhutanese exporters.
• The meeting strengthened business-to-business engagement by enhancing ties between the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
• Bangladesh formally invited Bhutan to participate regularly in the Dhaka International Trade Fair to expand market access for Bhutanese products.
• Both delegations committed to holding regular bilateral forum meetings, such as the Joint Group of Customs, to continuously advance their trade and technical agendas.
   

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Press Release

Bangladesh offers use of Pangaon terminal as alternative route for handling Bhutanese cargo