The International Business Forum of Bangladesh (IBFB),sent a 24 member delegation on a four day visit to Bhutan from 5 February until the 8 February. The delegation was led by Mr. Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury, President of IBFB.
Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) in a meeting held on 7 February on a broad based discussion and interactions among the two country’s business leaders. After the formal addresses by the Secretary General of BCCI Mr Phub Tshering and President IBFB Mr Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury, there was a “Q&A and Discussion Session”. In this session several issues were raised and answered. Outcome of this session will act as beacon for future planning of both BCCI and IBFB activities.
Thereafter, a “Breakout Session” was held where business leaders of both the countries had one to one meeting on topics of mutual interest. It may be mentioned that Mr Rinchen Dorji, Vice President of Associations of Business Industry became the first Bhutanese Oversea Member of IBFB and few other have promised to do so very soon. Members and President of Bhutan Exporters Association (BEA), Mr Geleg Nyeema also participated in the discussion.
The meeting with the Economic Affairs Minister Mr Khandu Wangchuk was very fruitful and went into the details which would facilitate further development of business between the two countries. It went into possibility of the latest list of 18 Bhutanese items for duty free export to Bangladesh The delegation was also apprised about the formation of Economic Development Policy for Bhutan and new policy for FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) encouraging investment from abroad.
The meeting with the Minister for Works and Human Settlement Mr Yeshey Zimba was equally fruitful and so was the interactions with the ministers and elites of Thimphu during the dinners hosted by BCCI and H.E Mr. Majibur Rahman Bhuiyan, Ambassador of Bangladesh to Bhutan.
Prior to their departure, the delegation had a meeting with the Commerce Minister Mr. Faruk Khan at the Ministry on 3 February to exchange views and suggestions. The Minister congratulated the delegation for undertaking this visit and hoped that it will help to further strengthen the relations between the two countries. He said that the history of trade between the two countries had gone back all the way since Bangladesh’s independence. He again expressed hope that after the Prime Minister’s visit to the kingdom last November, the private sector will be motivated to achieve the target of enhancing trade between both countries.
Other member of IBFB, including some of the Board of Directors, also accompanied the delegation.
