Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has assured Bhutan that Bangladesh would reduce tariff on 18 Bhutanese commodities from existing 15 percent to zero percent, said a joint press release on Monday.

During her three-day visit to Bhutan, the prime minister and her Bhutanese counterpart Lyonchen Jigmi Y Thinley agreed to explore possibility of cooperation in the field of energy under the Saarc regional cooperation in energy sector. The Bhutanese prime minister informed Hasina that the theme for the 16th SAARC summit, to be held in Thimpu in April next, would focus on climate change.

In response to Bhutanese request, Hasina agreed to raise the yearly reserved seats for the Bhutanese students for MBBS courses in the government medical colleges in Bangladesh under Saarc quota. The two leaders reiterated their commitment to promote peace, stability and security of the basis of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs and peaceful resolution of all disputes.

-Daily Star