Bangladesh, Bhutan to sign PTA within August

Bangladesh and Bhutan have reached a decision to sign the preferential trade agreements (PTAs) between the countries within next August for expansion of bilateral trade.

The decision was taken at a video conference held on Tuesday to ink the second PTA between Bangladesh and Bhutan, said a handout from Commerce Ministry on Wednesday.

Additional commerce secretary Sharifa Khan led Bangladesh side while Sonam Tenzin, director of general of Bhutan’s department of trade led his country delegation.

If the treaty comes into effect, Bangladesh’s 100 products will get duty-free access to the market of Bhutan, and 34 products of the latter country will enjoy the same facility in Bangladesh, the handout said.

Bangladesh mainly exports readymade garments, food items, plastic products, medicine, home furnishing items, electrical things etc.