Bhutan eager to hire Bangladeshi docs /Bhutanese PM Jigmi Y Thinley’s five-day visit to Dhaka begins on Jan 10

Saturday, 25 December 2010
Author: Anis Alamgir

Dhaka, Dec 24: Bhutan is likely to express its keenness to hire skilled mid-level doctors, engineers and school teachers from Bangladesh during Bhutanese Prime Minister Jigmi Y Thinley’s five-day official visit to Dhaka. According to official sources, issues of investment and cooperation in agriculture sector will also prominently figure during the Bhutanese premier’s visit from January 10 to 14.
Besides, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) would be signed on manpower export between two countries, along with extension of two others MOUs on cultural exchange and air service, they said.
The sources said Bhutan had confidence in Bangladeshi doctors and was interested to appoint mid-level medical practitioners in its state-run hospitals. Bhutanese doctors, who have obtained their MBBS degree from Dhaka, also had a good reputation in the country.
“They (Bhutanese) are also interested in hiring diploma engineers from Bangladesh for their different development projects. Earlier, they also hired some Bangladeshi engineers, but they (engineers) returned due to uncomfortable weather and job locations, mainly in remote mountainous areas of the country.”
The south Asian neighbour is also likely to appoint school teachers from Bangladesh.
Moreover, Bhutan has also shown eagerness to have Bangladeshi investments in its hotel, hospitality and real estate sectors, which will be highlighted during the bilateral meeting between the two countries, according to officials here.
They said Bhutan would request Bangladesh to help out its agro processing sector, cultivation of hybrid rice and vegetables. Bhutanese Prime Minister Thinley will also call on President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, while Foreign Minister Dipu Moni and Commerce Minister Faruk Khan will make courtesy calls on the Bhutanese leader.
During his visit, Bhutanese prime minister will visit Chittagong to see port facilities. They have already requested Bangladesh to allow using Chittagong and Mongla ports.
Thinley will also visit Cox’s Bazar with his entourage, though it is yet to be finalised.