The 9th Commerce Secretary Level Meeting (CSLM) between the Royal Government of Bhutan and the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh was convened from 24-25 April 2024, in Thimphu, Bhutan. The Bhutanese delegation was led by Ms. Tashi Wangmo, Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Employment and the Bangladesh delegation was led by Mr. Tapan Kanti Ghosh, Senior Secretary, Ministry of Commerce.
The 9th CSLM reviewed the progress and challenges in the areas of trade and economic cooperation since the last CSLM held in 2022 in Dhaka. Both sides noted that trade and economic cooperation had been adversely affected due to the pandemic and committed to strengthening bilateral trade and economic cooperation.
The meeting discussed agenda items ranging from cooperation in tourism, trade facilitation, investments, customs, standards and sanitary and phytosanitary measures and agriculture. Both sides also agreed to review and consider additional products to be incorporated into the Preferential Trade Agreement to enhance overall trade.
In 2023, Bangladesh was the third largest trading partner accounting for overall bilateral trade of Nu. 5.8 billion. Bhutan exported goods worth Nu. 5.02 billion and imported goods worth Nu. 798 million. The Bangladesh delegation also called upon H.E. Namgyal Dorji, Minister for the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Employment and H.E DN Dhungyel, Minister for Foreign Affairs on the sidelines of the CSLM.