Bangladesh, Bhutan Sign Agreement on Internet Bandwidth Export
Bangladesh has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Bhutan to strengthen international internet connectivity. Abdun Naser Khan, Secretary of the Posts and Telecommunications Division under the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, signed the agreement on behalf of Bangladesh. Under the deal, Bhutan will import internet bandwidth from Bangladesh.
Foreign Affairs Adviser Tawhid Hossain, who attended the meeting, said the export of bandwidth would enhance Bhutan’s digital connectivity and help reduce the “digital divide.”
The signing took place on Saturday, 22 November, at the Chief Adviser’s Office in Tejgaon following a bilateral meeting between the top leaders of the two countries. Alongside the internet bandwidth deal, Bangladesh and Bhutan also concluded a health cooperation agreement, signed by representatives from Bangladesh’s Health Services Division of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Bhutan’s Ministry of Health.
Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus and Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering Tobgay were present and witnessed the signing and exchange of documents.
Prior to the ceremony, the two leaders held a one-on-one (tête-à-tête) meeting followed by formal bilateral talks at the Chief Adviser’s Office in Tejgaon.
According to Deputy Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, the discussions covered a wide range of bilateral issues, including trade, energy, education, tourism, internet cooperation, transport, healthcare, environment, water resources, investment, and air connectivity. Bangladesh announced an increase in medical college seats for Bhutanese students, along with dedicated seats at BUBT.
The Bhutanese Prime Minister noted that many of Bhutan’s leading physicians are alumni of Bangladeshi medical colleges. He added that this visit would serve as a foundation for building a shared future. Commending Bhutan’s achievement as the world’s first carbon-negative country, he said Bangladesh—being climate vulnerable—values Bhutan’s experience.
In response, Prime Minister Tobgay lauded the Chief Adviser and the interim government for ensuring peace and stability during a period of national transition and for achieving ambitious goals.
During a personal exchange, the Bhutanese Prime Minister shared that he was “surprised and deeply moved” when the Chief Adviser personally received him at the airport. He also recalled their previous meetings in New York, Davos, Baku, and Bangkok.
Present at the meeting were Economic Affairs Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed, Energy Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan, Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (Retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum, Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on Health Affairs Saidur Rahman, and Special Assistant on Posts, Telecommunications, and ICT Fayez Ahmed Taiyeb.
Arriving in Dhaka on Saturday morning for a two-day state visit at the invitation of Chief Adviser Dr Yunus, the Bhutanese Premier landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at around 8:15 am on a Drukair flight, where he was received by the Chief Adviser.
A brief meeting was held between the two leaders at the airport’s VIP lounge, during which Prime Minister Tobgay inquired about the casualties and damage caused by the earthquake on Friday, 21 November, and conveyed condolences to the families of the victims. Following the meeting, he was given a 19-gun salute and a guard of honour.
After the airport formalities, the Bhutanese Prime Minister proceeded to the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar, where he paid tribute to the martyrs of Bangladesh’s Liberation War. He laid a floral wreath and planted a tree on the memorial grounds.
Later in the afternoon, Bhutan’s Prime Minister held courtesy meetings with Foreign Affairs Adviser M. Tawhid Hossain and Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin.
DBTech/Bini/IH
