Bhutanese Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay has underscored the importance of the special economic zone (SEZ) in the northern district of Kurigram, being developed under a government-to-government partnership.
The SEZ will be strategically connected to Bhutan's upcoming special administrative hub, Gelephu Mindfulness City, fostering seamless trade flows and industrial collaboration between the two nations, said a statement from the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida) today.
At a meeting with the executive chairman of Bida and the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (Beza), Ashik Chowdhury, Tobgay emphasised the pivotal role of enhanced regional connectivity in unlocking trade and investment cooperation between Bhutan and Bangladesh.
Chowdhury reaffirmed Bangladesh's commitment to fast-tracking progress on the Kurigram Economic Zone to realise the full potential of the Kurigram–Gelephu linkage.
"Kurigram and Gelephu can become complementary engines of a shared economic future. Bangladesh offers scale, skilled labour, and connectivity to global markets. Bhutan brings the values of sustainability, innovation, and wellness. Together, we can anchor a new model of cross-border economic cooperation," he said.
Prime Minister Tobgay expressed Bhutan's interest in exploring opportunities for Bhutanese businesses within Bangladesh's financial sector.
He conveyed his intent to send a high-level Bhutanese business delegation to identify key sectors for trade and investment, with a particular focus on banking and financial services.
The Bangladeshi side highlighted the country's recent developments in regulatory and institutional reforms, along with its strategic push to become a regional investment hub through tax reforms, simpler repatriation, and more efficient ports.