Bangladesh and Bhutan on Monday issued a joint communique promising enhanced connectivity particularly though land routs and cooperation in tapping hydropower at the Himalayan foothill nation for mutual benefits.

A 19-point joint statement, issued at the fag end of the landmark tour, called the visit, the first by Sheikh Hasina since her assumption of office following the December 29, 2008, general elections to a South Asian country, a milestone in the Bangladesh and Bhutan relationship expecting it to usher in a new era of bilateral cooperation. "They (Bangladesh and Bhutan) agreed to explore possibility of land connectivity between Bhutan and Bangladesh under the aegis of SAARC transport connectivity to promote intra-regional trade and travel," the communique read.

In the subsequent paragraph it said that against the backdrop of growing energy demand in Bangladesh and Bhutan's high potential for production of hydroelectricity, the two sides also agreed to explore possibility of cooperation in the field of energy under the SAARC regional cooperation in energy sector. The visit yielded renewal of an agreement on bilateral trade while according to the statement both sides expressed their conviction that it would contribute immensely towards the prosperity and well being of the peoples of the two countries while the deal would also pave the way for cooperation in other sectors in the years ahead.

Bhutan exports apples, oranges, processed fruit products and minerals to Bangladesh while it imports items like garments, ceramic, pharmaceuticals, processed food and toiletries from Bangladesh. "The trade between the two countries has been steadily increasing over the years and has been making significant differences to the income of farmers in Bhutan, and the industries of Bangladesh," the communique noted. Bhutan has waived all duties on imports from Bangladesh while Sheikh Hasina announced that Bangladesh would reduce the tariff on 18 commodities imported from Bhutan from the existing rate of 15 percent to zero percent to "boost trade between the two countries". Officials earlier said Bangladesh's export to Bhutan was less than $1 million while Bhutan's exports to Bangladesh totals around $14 million.

-Daily Star