Bangladesh and Bhutan have agreed to strengthen trade and investment cooperation through the Kurigram-Gelephu Economic Corridor, officials said following a bilateral meeting in Dhaka.

Bhutan’s Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay highlighted the role of regional connectivity in enhancing bilateral trade.

He called the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Kurigram, being developed under a Government-to-Government (G2G) partnership, a transformative project. The SEZ will link with Bhutan’s upcoming Gelephu Mindfulness City to facilitate seamless trade flows and industrial collaboration.

Ashik Chowdhury, Executive Chairman of BIDA and BEZA, said, “Kurigram and Gelephu can become complementary engines of a shared economic future. Bangladesh offers scale, skilled labour and connectivity to global markets. Bhutan brings sustainability, innovation and wellness. Together, we can anchor a new model of cross-border economic cooperation.”

Prime Minister Tobgay also expressed interest in exploring opportunities for Bhutanese businesses in Bangladesh’s financial sector and plans to send a high-level business delegation to identify key investment areas, especially in banking and financial services.

The Bangladeshi side briefed the Bhutanese delegation on regulatory and institutional reforms aimed at making Bangladesh a regional investment hub, including tax incentives, simpler repatriation, and more efficient port operations. Cultural and heritage ties were also discussed.

The Bhutanese delegation included Ambassador Rinchen Kuentsyl and senior officials from Health, Commerce, and Industry Ministries. The Bangladeshi team comprised representatives from BIDA, BEZA, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Bangladesh Embassy in Bhutan.