President Iajuddin Ahmed yesterday said that Bangladesh is eager to work with Bhutan on hydroelectricity project under the Saarc energy ring concept.

Iajuddin said this when outgoing Bhutanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Dasho Jigme Tshultim paid a farewell call on him at Bangabhaban.

During the meeting, Iajuddin also said that Bangladesh is keen to further expand and deepen bilateral trade and economic relations with Bhutan as there is a great scope of widening the trade volume between the countries.

He underscored the need for enhancing educational exchange programme for the benefit of the two countries. “Bangladesh imparts quality education on medicine, engineering, agriculture, general education and the students of Bhutan may take education on those subjects for achieving excellence”, he added.

The president told the envoy that Bangladesh is ready to hand over a piece of land to the government of Bhutan for constructing its diplomatic mission in Dhaka. He hoped that Bhutan would provide a piece of land for building Bangladesh Embassy in Thimphu.

He mentioned that Bangladesh attaches great importance to its relations with Bhutan. The president also recalled with gratitude the contributions of Bhutan which recognised Bangladesh on December 7, 1971 during the War of Liberation.

In reply, Ambassador Dasho Jigme said that the existing bilateral relations between Bhutan and Bangladesh are excellent and it would be further strengthened in the days ahead.

The envoy mentioned that some Bhutanese students are pursuing their studies in Bangladesh, particularly in medicine.

He added that the trade volume between the two countries is growing day by day and it would be further enhanced in the coming days.

Military Secretary to the President Maj Gen M Aminul Karim, Secretary to the President's office M Sirajul Islam and concerned officials of both sides were also present on the occasion.