Foreign Minister Calls On Bhutanese King

Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today called on visiting Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck at his place of residence in the capital.

During the meeting, both sides expressed satisfaction over the existing excellent friendly bilateral relations between the two neighboring countries.

They agreed to enhance cooperation in the areas of trade and commerce, connectivity, power, agriculture, education, culture, people to people contact etc.

A red carpet was rolled out to accord warm reception to the Bhutanese King on his arrival here this morning on a four-day official visit as President Mohammed Shahabuddin and his wife Dr. Rebeka Sultana received him.

This is the first state visit by any foreign dignitary since the formation of the new government after the January 7 national election.

On the first day of visit, Bangladesh and Bhutan signed three new Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) and renewed one to enhance mutual cooperation between the two neighboring countries.

The new MoUs are Establishment of Special Economic Zone in Kurigram, setting up a Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit in Thimphu and technical cooperation on Consumers Rights.

Besides, another MoU on cultural exchange was also renewed.

Visiting Bhutanese King Wangchuck, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Bhutanese Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck witnessed the signing ceremony held at Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

Wangchuck also hold a delegation-level meeting with Sheikh Hasina prior to the signing ceremony.

Bhutan was the first country to recognize the newly independent Bangladesh on December 6 in 1971 when the third King of Bhutan sent a message of recognition by telegram.

"We have multifaceted relations with Bhutan," foreign minister Hasan Mahmud told media on Sunday.

The King, along with Bhutanese Foreign, Health, Industry and Commerce Ministers and the Bhutanese Queen, arrived in Dhaka today.