Dhaka Thimphu ink five instruments for strengthening cooperation

Bangladesh and Bhutan yesterday signed five instruments including three Memorandum of Understandings (Molls) and two agreements in sectors like to further boost the bilateral ties between the two countries in the fields of agri-culture, trade and commerce and culture, reports BSS. The MoUs and agreements were signed between the two countries at the Royal Banquet Hall of Gyalyong Tshogkhang after the  bilateral meeting between Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Bhutanese Prime Minister Dasho Tsheringlbbgay. Both the Prime Ministers witnessed the signing of the MoUs and agree-ments. Sheikh hasina is now on a three-day state visit to Bhutan to attend an international conference on Autism. The MoU between Agriculture and Food Regulatory Authority, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Royal Government of Bhutan, and Department ofAgriculture Extension, Ministry ofAgriculture, Government of Bangladesh was signed by NarngayWangchuk. Director General of BAFRA of Bhutan. The Agreement between Bangladesh and Bhutan on Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income was inked by Nim Dorji, Secretary, Ministry of Finance of Bhutan. The Agreement on Cultural Cooperation between Bangladesh and Bhutan was signed by Foreign Secretary of Bhutan Ambassador Sonata Tshong. The another MoU penned between the two countries was on Use of Inland Waterways for Ransportation of Bilateral Trade and Transit Cargoes between Bangladesh and Bhutan. The other Moll between Bhutan Standards Bureau (BSB) and Bangladesh Standard. and Testing Institute (BSTI) was signed by Sonam Phuntsho,Director General of Bhutan Standards Bureau. Those who signed the agreements and Moth on behalf of Bangladesh are PMQ Senior Secretary Suraiya Begum, Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Hague and DG, South Asia of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Moamar Hossain. Earlier in the day, a red carpet was rolled out as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived at Para International Airport in Bhutan on a three-day state visit, reports 'On from Paro, Bhutan. Bhutanese Prime MinisterIsheringibbgay and Bangladesh Ambassador in Thimphu lishnu Roy thoudhury received the Bangladesh Prime Minister at the airport. TWo tiny tots presented bouquets to the Prime Minister. At the airport, the Prime Minister was given a guard of honour by a smartly turned out contingent of the Bhutanese Armed Forces while National Anthems of the two countries were played during the time. Sheikh Hasina took salute and inspected the guard. Later, the Bhutanese Prime Minister intro-duced her Cabinet colleagues in the presen-tation line with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina while the Bangladesh Prime Minister also intro-duced dignitaries in the Bangladesh presen-tation line with the Bhutanese Prime Minister. From the airport, Hasina was taken to her place of residence Hotel Le Meridien thimphu  in a ceremonial motorcade where she was received by chairman of Royal Privy Council of Bhutan Lyonpo. Chenkyab Dorji. People from all walks of life, including schoolchildren, greeted the Prime Minister with miniature flags of the two countries standing both sides of 70 kilometres road from Paro International. Airport to the Bhutanese capital. On the occasion of the conference and the visit of the Bangladesh Prime Minister, the Bhutanese capital was decorated with flags of Bangladesh and Bhutan and large size portraits of Sheikh Hasina and the Bhutanese King and the Prime Minister. Earlier, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left Dhaka for Thimphu by a Dmk Air WIP flight which took off from Haz rat Shahjalal International Airport at 10"50 am. The flight arrived Paro International Airport in the Bhutanese capital at 11:35 am (Local time). During the tour, the Prime Minister will attend a three-day' International Conference on Autism and Nuero Developmental Disorders', beginning on Wednesday at the Royal Banquet Hall in the Bhutanese capital. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of Bangladesh and the Ministry of Health of Bhutan with the technical support of Shuchona Foundation (previously known as Global Autism), Ability Bhutan Society (ABS), and World Health Organization South-East Asia Regional Office are jointly organising the conference. The theme of the confer-ence is "Developing effective and sustainable multi-secto-rial programs for individuals, families and communities living with ASD and other neurodevelopmental disor-ders. Government leaders, poli-cymakers, experts and activists from around the globe will discuss strategic viewpoints to spread aware-ness about autism in the conference. During the visit, Sheikh Hasina will also hold meet-ings with Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Prime MinisterTsheringibbwnyand discuss bilateral and region-al issues, which will be followed by signing of six bilateral agreements between the Bangladesh Prime Minister and her Bhutanese counterpart. Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, PM's International Affairs Adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi and PM's daughter Saima Wazed Hossain Putul are accompa-nying Sheikh Hasina.