PM proposes Bhutanese economic zone in Bangladesh

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has offered Bhutan the opportunity to build an economic zone in Bangladesh when Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema had a meeting with her in London.

"We're establishing economic zones in Bangladesh. You can build an economic zone in our country which will be familiar with the Bhutan Economic Zone," Foreign Minister, AK Abdul Momen quoted her as saying in a news briefing after their meeting yesterday.

Earlier, the Bangladesh premier and her younger sister Sheikh Rehana received the Bhutanese king and queen upon their arrival at the bilateral meeting room of Hasina's Palace of Residence, The Claridge Hotel.

The Bangladesh premier said they have already provided economic zones in Bangladesh to India, Japan, and South Korea.

"If you want, we can give you an economic zone in Kurigram," she said.

Sheikh Hasina made the offer when the Bhutanese king said they wanted to build an administrative economic zone in his country keeping the environment unharmed.

The Bangladesh foreign minister said Bhutan doesn't want to endanger their country environmentally as their country is a happy one.

The prime minister said that Bangladesh has been developing communication with neighbours in all ways, including railways.

"Bangladesh is a connectivity hub. Bhutan can use Bangladesh's two ports and the Saidpur International Airport..." she said.

The Bhutanese king and queen highly praised the economic advancement of Bangladesh under the dynamic leadership of Sheikh Hasina.

The Bhutanese king expressed his desire to get direct transit with Bangladesh through India.

The PM welcomed Bhutan's eagerness, saying, "If necessary, we will talk to India over the matter."

The Bhutanese king said his country's prime minister and foreign minister have a special attachment with Bangladesh as both studied in Bangladesh.

He said both the premier and foreign minister of Bhutan have wanted to visit Bangladesh privately.

Sheikh Hasina said, "My door is open for your people."

During the 50 minutes meeting, they also discussed various family affairs and the Bhutanese king and queen considered the prime minister their maternal aunt, the Bangladesh foreign minister said.

PM's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam, PM's Principal Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, PM's Speechwriter M Nazrul Islam and Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK Saida Muna Tasneem, among others, were present at the meeting.