Bangladesh and Bhutan on Saturday held high-level bilateral talks in Dhaka, focusing on expanding trade and economic cooperation, with both sides agreeing to move forward with discussions on signing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and visiting Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay led their respective delegations at the meeting, held at the Chief Adviser’s Office in Tejgaon, according to the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing.

The meeting, which began with a 30-minute one-on-one conversation followed by an hour-long formal dialogue, covered a wide array of issues including trade, energy, tourism, transport, healthcare, environment, investment, education, aviation, water resources and digital connectivity.

Prime Minister Tobgay stressed the urgency of deepening economic cooperation, saying, “If we have to prosper, we must prosper together.” He expressed Bhutan’s strong interest in finalizing the FTA “as quickly as possible,” hoping his country would be the first to sign such an agreement with Bangladesh.

Bangladesh and Bhutan earlier inked a preferential trade agreement in 2020.

Calling Bhutan “a very important friend,” Professor Yunus said the two nations are bound by geography and shared history. “Our future is to build together,” he said, noting that facilitating trade routes for Bhutanese goods is a priority for Bangladesh.

The leaders also agreed to form a joint working group to boost two-way tourism. Professor Yunus highlighted Bangladesh’s Buddhist heritage sites, while Tobgay recalled the historic role of monks from Bengal in spreading Buddhism to the Himalayan region.

During the meeting, Yunus invited Bhutanese nationals to access healthcare and education services once Bangladesh completes its new 1,000-bed hospital and medical college in Nilphamari.

Following the talks, two MoUs were signed—one on healthcare services and another on Bhutan’s import of international internet bandwidth from Bangladesh. Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain said the bandwidth export would help “strengthen Bhutan’s digital connectivity.”

Bangladesh also announced an increased number of seats for Bhutanese students in medical colleges as well as reserved seats in BUET.

Highlighting Bhutan’s ambitious Gelephu Mindfulness City project, Prime Minister Tobgay sought Bangladesh’s cooperation, including logistical support in Narayanganj for cargo handling. He also discussed prospects for Bangladesh to import hydropower from Bhutan under a trilateral arrangement with India.

Chief Adviser Yunus reaffirmed the interim government`s commitment to building “a shared, long-term future with all neighbours.” He praised Bhutan’s global leadership in climate stewardship, while Tobgay commended Bangladesh’s interim government for ensuring peace and stability during the political transition.

The Bhutanese leader also expressed personal appreciation, saying he was “overjoyed” that Professor Yunus received him at the airport earlier in the day.

Several advisers to the Chief Adviser, including those for finance, energy, home affairs, health, commerce, and ICT, were present at the meeting.