Bhutanese PM due on Jan 10

Connectivity, trade and investment, import of electricity and transit will figure prominently in the bilateral talks between Bangladesh and Bhutan when Bhutanese prime minister will be in the capital on a five-day official visit starting January 10.
The two countries are expected to sign an agreement related to transit through Indian territories, official sources said.
An inter-ministerial meeting will be held today at the foreign ministry to finalise the issues to be taken up by Bangladesh at the discussions.
Besides holding official talks, the Bhutanese Prime Minister Lyonchen Jigme Yoser Thinley will meet President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Several ministers, including Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, will also pay courtesy calls on the Bhutanese leader.
Bhutan will request Bangladesh to allow her using Chittagong and Mongla ports, a highly placed source told The Daily Star yesterday, requesting anonymity.
The hosts will ask for opening up scope for Bangladeshi businessmen to invest in Bhutan, the source added.
According to officials, though Bhutan is a very prospective market for Bangladeshi commodities, it has not been explored due to lack of necessary initiatives.
Presently the two countries use Indian territories at Burimari border of Lalmonirhat district for exporting and importing goods.
If a direct road link is established through Haluaghat in Mymensingh, Bangladesh can have easy access to the eastern region of Bhutan, stated the officials. The hosts are likely to place the issue during official talks.
Bhutan is planning to set up 10 new power plants by 2020, which are expected to generate 10,000 mega-watt of power, sources said.
Bangladesh will also discuss how it can import power from its South Asian neighbour, hinted the officials.
To import power, transmission lines will have to be set up on the Indian territories and for this purpose, India, Bangladesh and Bhutan need to reach a tripartite agreement.
However, if Saarc Grid Line is established, the agreement will not be necessary as it would enable import of power from one country to another easily.