Dhaka, Thimpu to ink hydropower co-op deal soon: Bhutanese envoy

Bhutan and Bangladesh are close to sign a Memorandum of Understanding( MoU) on cooperation in hydropower between the two neighbouring countries.

Ambassador of Bhutan Rinchen Keuntsy said this during a courtesy meeting with President Mohammed Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban on Tuesday.

“As a result, the cooperation between the two countries will expand further,” said the envoy.

Press secretary to the president Joynal Abedin briefed reporters after the meeting.

President Shahabuddin said signing a bilateral MoU on cooperation in hydropower will strengthen the relationship between the two countries.

The president recalled the unwavering support of the people of Bhutan during Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971.

He said Dhaka gives special importance to the relationship with Bhutan as it was the first country to recognise Bangladesh December 6, 1971, even before the final victory in our war of liberation.

He said that the excellent relations between the two neighbourly countries would be elevated to even newer height in the coming days and the two countries will continue to cooperate at different regional and multilateral forums to harness the existing potentials for the benefit of the entire region.

He also emphasised increasing the connectivity between the two countries to explore the possibilities.

Noting that Bhutan is the second largest commercial partner of Bangladesh, he said the markets in the Himalyan kingdom display many Bangladeshi products including garments.

Secretaries concerned to the president were also present during the meeting. Bhutan, strategically located between India and China, has the potential to generate 30,000MW of hydropower but has a capacity of just 1,490MW. Apart from hydropower projects, India has also helped Bhutan build the Penden cement Plant, Paro Airport and the Bhutan Broadcasting Station. While the earlier hydropower projects Tala, Chukha and Kurichhu, which account for around 95% of the power generated by Bhutan, were developed on a joint inter-governmental development model, the Kholongchu, Amochhu, Bunakha and Wangchu projects are to be developed by state-owned firms under the JV route.