Dhaka: Bangladesh and Bhutan today signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) focusing on health cooperation and internet connectivity, marking a significant step forward in bilateral relations between the two countries. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay at the Chief Adviser’s Office in Tejgaon, as reported by the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing this afternoon.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the MoU signing followed a private meeting and formal official talks between Chief Adviser Yunus and Prime Minister Tobgay. The first MoU, concerning the appointment of health workforce, was signed between the Health Services Division of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Bhutan’s Ministry of Health. Md Saidur Rahman, Secretary of the Health Services Division, represented Bangladesh in the signing.
The second MoU, which deals with the trade of international internet bandwidth and other telecommunication services, was concluded between the Royal Government of Bhutan and the Government of Bangladesh. Abdun Naser Khan, Secretary of the Posts and Telecommunications Division under the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, signed on behalf of Bangladesh.
Prime Minister Tobgay arrived in Dhaka this morning for a two-day state visit at the invitation of Chief Adviser Prof Yunus. He was welcomed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by the Chief Adviser. During a brief meeting at the airport’s VVIP lounge, Prime Minister Tobgay expressed condolences for the damages and loss of lives caused by Friday’s earthquake.
Following the airport reception, where he received a 19-gun salute and a guard of honor, Prime Minister Tobgay visited the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar. There, he paid tribute to the martyrs of Bangladesh’s Liberation War by laying a wreath and planting a sapling.
In the afternoon, Bangladesh’s Foreign Adviser M Touhid Hossain and Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin met with the Bhutanese Prime Minister. An official banquet in honor of Prime Minister Tobgay is scheduled for the evening.