Bhutan on Sunday offered to export hydroelectricity to Bangladesh at the cheapest price saying it country has the capacity to generate 30,000 MW of hydroelectricity.
Visiting Bhutanese Minister for Economic Affairs Lyonpo Norbu Wangchuk came up with the proposal when he met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her office.
After the meeting, Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters. The Bhutanese minister said his country is currently generating 5,000 MW of electricity and the price is the cheapest in the world.
In reply, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reiterated her government’s intention to import hydroelectricity from Bhutan and said Bangladesh wants to participate in Bhutan’s future power projects.
Referring to the growing demand of electricity in Bangladesh, she said Bhutan has huge potential of producing hydroelectricity and hoped that Bhutan’s yet unexplored hydropower potential would come to meet Bangladesh’s energy needs.
The Prime Minister mentioned that India is also positive towards Bangladesh’s intention to import electricity from Nepal and Bhutan under the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal (BBIN) framework.
Talking about the Motor Vehicle Agreement, the Prime Minister said this would facilitate connectivity among the four countries.
She also expressed Bangladesh’s keenness on bilateral and sub-regional context with India, Nepal and Bhutan on water resources management and power/hydropower as well as on connectivity-related issues.
During the meeting, Hasina recalled with gratitude that Bhutan was the first country to recognise Bangladesh as an independent country, and said the country has a special place in Bangladeshi citizens’ hearts.
She conveyed her greetings to the Bhutanese King, Queen and the Prime Minister through the visiting Minister.
The Bhutan’s minister said his country has tremendous goodwill for the people of Bangladesh.
Highly appreciating the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Lyonpo Norbu Wangchuk congratulated her on achieving the Champions of the Earth Award of the United Nations Environment Programme this year.
He also lauded the initiatives and visionary leadership of Sheikh Hasina on climate change issue.
Lyonpo Norbu said he was really impressed to see various Buddhist heritages in Bangladesh and appreciated the efforts of the government in protecting these.
He also conveyed the good wishes of the Bhutanese King, Queen and Prime Minister to the Bangladesh Prime Minister. Prime Minister’s International Affairs Adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi was present during the meeting.
