ED: Building better relationships with our neighbours

Bilateral relationships remain one of the most important strategies for Bangladesh as it continues its ascent up the development ladder.

To that end, it has done a good job in expanding upon the current business relationship with Bhutan. This provides an opportunity to exchange ideas with the local business community and maximize the benefits for both economies.

Bangladesh’s relationship with Bhutan has been longstanding. From trade and tourism to the influx of Bhutanese students that can be found in the medical schools of Bangladesh, this relationship has been fruitful for both nations.

Building on this connection, therefore, will be of paramount importance. While the recent emphasis may have been on trade with Bhutan, we also need to ramp up our focus on other aspects of the relationship as well.

Attracting foreign students with a view of promoting the education sector in our country is something that the government can easily do, and with just the right amounts of tweaks to our existing relationship with countries like Bhutan, an aim like this doesn’t have to remain out of reach any longer.

Bangladesh has always had a policy of maintaining friendly relationships with all nations of the world, and it is a policy that has paid dividends for us. When it comes to bettering regional relationships like this, efforts need to continue, so that these relationships, along with Bangladesh, can reach the next level.