Thimpu for Delhi’s partnership /Bangladesh Power Crisis

Thimpu for Delhi’s partnership
Bangladesh Power Crisis

Friday, 14 January 2011
Author / Source : Diplomatic Correspondent

Dhaka, Jan 13: Bhutan’s Prime Minister Jigmi Y. Thinley suggested holding of a tripartite meeting among Bangladesh, Bhutan and India to meet the acute power crisis of Bangladesh which Dhaka wants to meet by importing hydro-power from land-locked Himalayan country. Addressing a press conference at Sonargaon Hotel on Thursday evening, Thinley sought Indian involvement as preoccupied Bhutan is unable to meet Dhaka’s needs on this front at present. He said that India has ten mega power projects in Bhutan which will be completed by 2020.
“Given the acute power crisis Bangladesh is facing why three of us should not discuss how we can meet the needs of Bangladesh sooner than later,” he said in reply to a question.
However, he would also like to consider Bangladesh in future projects either as an investment partner or as a direct buyer of power. The Bhutanese PM expressed his gratitude to the Bangladesh government for offering Bhutan the use of  Chittagong and Mongla seaports.
Thinley said he already visited Mongla seaport on Wednesday and was impressed to see the existing facilities. He said a team from Bhutan will come to Bangladesh to see how efficiently they can use Chittagong and Mongla ports.
The Bhutanese Prime Minister said there is tremendous goodwill between the two countries to promote mutual trade not only for economic benefit but for other benefits as well and the present bilateral trade could be increased from US$ 30 million to US$ 100 million within the next few years.
Though as of now he didn't see any difficulty in transit through India, he felt that lack of communication is still exiting and suggested ways to expedite rail-air and surface communication in the region. Asked about the recent MoU on health sector cooperation, Thinley said they would expect some highly specialised doctors and some general physicians for two to five years period from Bangladesh to be recruited or on deputation basis. The Bhutanese Prime Minister will leave Dhaka Friday morning.  He arrived here on January 10 for a four-day state visit with a 20-member official delegation including a minister, officials and a six-member business team.
The Bhutanese Prime Minister was supposed to visit Chittagong and Cox’s Bazaar by helicopter but it did not happen due to dense fog. He passed the chilly day playing golf at Kurmitula golf club in the city. He also visited Dhaka international trade fair in the night.
Leader of the opposition Khaleda Zia called on Bhutanese Prime Minister at his hotel suite. However, he managed to visit Sundarban on Wednesday.