Bhutan has launched its first trial transit of goods through Bangladesh under the traffic in transit agreement signed between the two countries in March 2023. A fifteen ton consignment, imported from Thailand, has already arrived at Chattogram Port and will travel to Bhutan via the Burimari land port and Indian territory between 22 and 24 November. The trial run is taking place during the official visit of Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, who will be in Dhaka from 22 to 24 November with full VVIP protocol.
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Officials from the Ministry of Commerce confirmed that Bangladesh has already issued written clearance to Chattogram Port authorities and the National Board of Revenue to ensure smooth processing of the Bhutanese cargo. The transit will follow the designated 684 kilometre route across Bangladesh before crossing into India and finally reaching Bhutan.
Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman stated that there will be no bilateral trade or investment discussions during this visit. The next secretary level meeting between the two countries is scheduled for January. He added that Bangladeshi officials have been invited to an official dinner hosted by the chief adviser’s chief adviser on Saturday evening during the visit.
The traffic in transit agreement between Bangladesh and Bhutan was signed on 22 March 2023, but both countries agreed that it would only come into effect after two successful trial runs. This week’s movement marks the first of the two. Bhutan informed Bangladesh in October, through a diplomatic note, that the shipment had been loaded and designated M s Abhi Cargo Company to manage the trial.
Bangladesh has previously completed four trial runs under its transit agreement with India ahead of the December 2024 national election. Although the agreement was expected to be fully operational, no progress was made after the change of government.
Commerce ministry officials noted that while transit charges for India were set earlier through an inter governmental committee, a joint technical committee for Bhutan is still pending formation. Bhutan requested the trial run before fees were finalised, prompting Bangladesh to proceed as a friendly gesture to support Bhutan’s connectivity ambitions.
Once the second trial run is completed, Bhutan will be able to use Bangladeshi ports, including Chattogram, for regular commercial goods movement. The arrangement is expected to strengthen regional trade connectivity and offer Bhutan a shorter and more efficient route to global markets.