Bangladesh and Bhutan moved their partnership forward when the two countries signed two practical memoranda of understanding after leader-level talks, a step that could improve health services, internet links and trade between them. The pacts were sealed after a meeting between Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and Bhutan’s Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, and they focus on allowing Bangladeshi healthcare professionals to work in Bhutan and on supplying international internet bandwidth from Bangladesh to strengthen Bhutan’s digital connections. Officials said the health agreement will place doctors, nurses and other medical staff where needed, with special interest in supporting services in Gelephu and other growing towns. Leaders said this will help Bhutan expand care quickly while giving Bangladeshi medical workers new opportunities to share skills and gain experience abroad. The internet deal aims to make Bhutan’s online services more reliable and affordable by importing bandwidth, which can help schools, businesses and public services reach more people and reduce the digital divide. Both sides called the agreements people-centered and practical, designed to deliver immediate benefits rather than promises that linger. The leaders also explored trade, education, tourism, energy and transport, and agreed to set up a joint working group to follow up on projects and move ideas toward action. They discussed starting formal talks toward a free trade agreement that could deepen ties beyond a preferential deal signed earlier, and Bhutan said it hopes to finish the FTA quickly to boost trade and investment. A tangible step is Bhutan’s first trial transit of goods through Bangladesh, with a small consignment due to move from Chattogram Port to Burimari land port and then on to Bhutan via India, showing how ports, roads and customs can link regional trade. The visit also brought offers on education and health: Bangladesh will increase medical college seats for Bhutanese students and provide reserved places at its engineering university, while a new hospital and medical college planned in Nilphamari was highlighted as an option for Bhutanese patients and trainees. On energy, the talks opened the door to buying hydropower from Bhutan and to exploring trilateral arrangements involving neighbors, which could provide cleaner power for Bangladesh while giving Bhutan steady markets for its renewable resources. Both leaders spoke warmly about shared history and future cooperation, and they agreed that early pilot projects, clear rules for transit and trade, and focused training for technicians and managers will be key to turning plans into benefits for people. Officials closed the visit with a promise of follow up work, pilot projects and practical steps to make new links work, leaving business leaders, students and officials ready to take part in the next phase of cooperation. Communities on both sides stand to benefit significantly.
