Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said stronger regional and international cooperation is necessary in the coming days for mitigating the impact of the pandemic and for the rebuilding phase.

"The evolving pandemic has propagated beyond a health crisis into a growing threat on socio-economic systems and livelihoods. To counter the impact of this unknown enemy, Bangladesh has shared excellent cooperation with Bhutan and other South Asian neighbours and beyond," she said while addressing the Bangladesh-Bhutan PTA signing ceremony.

Meanwhile, Bhutanese Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering highly appreciated Hasina's leadership, saying that Bangladesh is making an impressive economic recovery from the pandemic.

Hasina and Tshering joined the event virtually from Dhaka and Thimphu. 

Hasina said the pandemic has opened our eyes to the new realities that "we must consider while we strive to move forward".

"The world is countering the new and deeper fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic ... ."

Terming the PTA signing event a historic moment for Bangladesh, she said Bangladesh has signed its first-ever Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) with any country in the world and it is also the first country that recognised Bangladesh as a sovereign and an independent country.

She wished that the Preferential Trade Agreement will contribute to further consolidating bilateral relations.

"The next 50 years will witness sustained development and happiness of citizens of our region."

The PM said Bhutan has a special position in the hearts of all Bangladeshis, and a permanent place in the history of Bangladesh.

"The unwavering support of His Majesty the Third King and the people of Bhutan to our War of Liberation in 1971, and your country's recognition of the blood-soaked independent Bangladesh, evokes powerful emotions in our hearts even today."

Besides, she said Bangladesh and Bhutan share ancient linkages, common cultural values, traditions and geo-political realities.

"Today, the areas of our cooperation are many, including trade, tourism, hydro-power, climate change impacts, health, bio-diversity, agro-processing, agriculture, ICT, education, water resource management and much more."

Hasina said it is time that the two countries make their extraordinary relations even more meaningful for mutual benefits and for the overall development and well-being of its citizens and that is the spirit with which both countries have signed today [yesterday] the Bangladesh-Bhutan PTA.

"Under this agreement, a wide range of products from Bangladesh and Bhutan can find duty-free entry into each other's markets. The agreement also has provision for including an additional list of products through mutual consensus," she said.

Once the agreement comes into force, Hasina said she believed that more people in Bangladesh can have access to fresh Bhutanese apples and oranges, while the fashion-conscious people of Bhutan can choose from more varieties of quality apparels from Bangladesh.

"Infrastructure projects in Bangladesh can further benefit from boulders from Bhutan, while Bangladeshi pharmaceuticals can enhance contribution to the health sector in Bhutan," she added.

Hasina and her Bhutanese counterpart Tshering jointly opened the logo to celebrate the 50 years of relationship. Bhutan recognised Bangladesh on December 6, 1971.

They also cut cakes in their places to celebrate the signing of the PTA and the 50 years of relationship.

Hasina said there are many ways Bangladesh can cooperate with Bhutan, and Bangladesh is always ready to do it.

In this connection, she said Bhutan can use Bangladesh's waterways.

"Our waterway link has already started. We're developing our Chilmari and Pangaon ports. Not only that, if Bhutan wants, it can use any of our seaports -- Chattogram, Mongla, and Payra."

She also said Bangladesh is developing Saidpur Airport for regional use, and Bhutan can also use that.

"We're opening Chilahati railway and that'd be another opportunity for Bhutan."

In his speech, Bhutanese PM Tshering congratulated his Bangladeshi counterpart for successfully handling the coronavirus situation in Bangladesh.

"We can see Bangladesh is making a very impressive economic recovery from the pandemic."

"Bangladesh is always very close to my heart," said Tshering, expressing his desire to deepen friendship and cooperation with Bangladesh.

He said despite multiple challenges, Hasina successfully carried forward the vision and legacy of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

"People of Bangladesh will remember you forever," said Tshering.

The Bhutanese PM said the historic occasion came when Bangladesh is celebrating the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and 50 years of Bangladesh's independence to be celebrated next year. "I feel fortunate to be part of the history."

He said he spent seven years in Mymensingh Medical College and three years in Dhaka and during the period, Bangladesh became his second home.

"We all know the contributions and sacrifices that you [Hasina], your family and many others who joined today [made]," said Tshering.

With the signing of the PTA, Bhutan will enjoy duty-free export of 16 products, in addition to the already existing 18 products to Bangladesh.

Likewise, 10 more products from Bangladesh will enjoy duty-free export to Bhutan, in addition to the already 90 existing products.

Currently, Bangladesh-Bhutan trade operates under the Bilateral Trade Agreement signed in 1980.