Bhutanese King keens to export hydroelectric power

DHAKA, Feb 18, 2013 (BSS)- Visiting Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck today said he is keen to export Bhutanese hydroelectric power to Bangladesh for helping the country in mitigating its (Bangladesh's) high demand of electricity.

He said while held a nearly 30-minute meeting with President Zillur Rahman at Bangabhaban here.

After the meeting, President Rahman, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bhutanese King and Queen Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck joined a dinner followed by a cultural programme at Darbar hall of Bangabhaban.

During the meeting, Bhutanese King expressed his hope that a tri-nation - Bangladesh, India and Bhutan -meeting will be held regarding exporting hydroelectric power to Bangladesh soon. Bhutan has the potential of producing 10,000 megawatt of hydroelectric power.

King Wangchuck also said Bhutan is keen to increase its relations with Bangladesh in trade, agriculture and power sectors.

He praised Bangladesh government to maintain 6 percent economic growth despite global economic melt down.

The King informed President Rahman that he visited few pharmaceutical, ceramic and RMG factories and lauded the high standard of those industries. The Bhutanese King also invited Bangladesh President to visit Bhutan in his convenient time.

Welcoming the King and Queen at Bangabhaban, Zillur Rahman said an excellent bilateral relation is prevailing between the two neighboring countries.

The President said this top level visit would further strengthen the existing relations between the two countries.

Zillur Raman expressed his gratitude to Bhutanese people recalling that Bhutan was the first country to recognize Bangladesh as an independent nation.

The President recalled that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had joined the coronation ceremony of fourth King of Bhutan Jigme Singe Wangchuck in 1974. That visit had laid the foundation of bilateral relations of the two countries, he said.

The President said there are ample opportunities for both the countries in increasing bilateral relations in different sectors including trade, investment, communication, water resources, climate change, education and agriculture.

The Bhutanese King expressed his gratitude to the government and people of Bangladesh for giving him and his wife warm hospitality.

Foreign minister Dr Dipu Moni and secretaries concerned of the President office were present in the meeting.