Sheikh Hasina in Bhutan : Lyonchhoen Jigmi Y Thinley receives the Bangladesh PM at Paro International airport yesterday.

7 November, 2009 - “Bhutan was among the first countries to recognize independent Bangladesh that is why my first bilateral visit in the South Asian region is to Bhutan,” said the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, who arrived in Thimphu yesterday.

At the Paro airport Lyonchhoen Jigmi Y Thinley, cabinet ministers, the ambassador of Bangladesh to Bhutan, and senior government officials received Sheikh Hasina who is on a four-day state visit to the country on the invitation of the Bhutanese prime minister.

The Bangladeshi prime minister is scheduled to will receive an audience with His Majesty the King at Tashichhodzong and with His Majesty the fourth Druk Gyalpo tomorrow.

Sheikh Hasina who took oath as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh on January 6, after winning two-third majority in the parliament is on her maiden visit to the kingdom.

“We want to enhance and develop the existing trade and business between two countries as Bhutan is good neighbour of Bangladesh,” Sheikh Hasina told the Bhutanese press soon after landing at Paro International Airport. Bhutan and Bangladesh have seen a substantial increase in trade in the past 19 years. In 2008, the value of trade between the two countries was recorded at Nu 755.96m, the highest till date.

Bhutan’s major export items to Bangladesh are mineral products, foodstuffs, fruits, beverages and oat. Bangladesh’s exports to Bhutan include, warm garments, computer accessories, dry food, pharmaceuticals, toiletries and textile items.

Would Bhutan be able to export electricity to Bangladesh in the future? “If Bhutan can export electricity we will be very happy to get it,” said Sheikh Hasina.