Bhutan Pledges to Provide Cost Effective Hydroelectricity for Bangladesh

"We want to give hydroelectricity to Bangladesh at the cheapest price for meeting the country's growing demand for electricity," the minister said this when he paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her office here this morning.
In this connection, the Bhutanese minister said his country has potentials of producing 30,000 megawatt of electricity. "We are now generating 5000 MW electricity," he mentioned.
After the meeting, PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters. He said the Prime Minister expressed Bangladesh's interest to import electricity from Bhutan and participate in its future power projects.
Referring to growing energy demand in Bangladesh, the PM said Bhutan is a high potential country for producing hydroelectricity.
"We hope that Bhutan's yet unexplored hydroelectricity would come to Bangladesh for meeting the country's growing demand for electricity," she said.
The Prime Minister also expressed her keenness for cooperation in both bilateral and sub-regional context with India, Nepal and Bhutan in the fields of water resource management, power/hydroelectricity as well as the connectivity-related issue.
Referring to the recently-signed four-nation motor vehicle agreement involving Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal, Sheikh Hasina hoped that this deal would facilitate connectivity among the four countries.
Recalling Bhutanese recognition to independent Bangladesh, the Prime Minister said Bhutan was the first country which recognised independent Bangladesh. "Therefore, Bhutan has a special place in the hearts of Bangladeshis," she said.
The Bhutanese minister said Bhutan has tremendous good wishes for Bangladesh and appreciated Bangladesh's stellar socioeconomic progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Lyonpo Norbu Wangchuk also lauded Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her initiatives as well as bold and visionary leadership in climate change issue and congratulated her on receiving the highest UN environmental accolade 'The Champions of the Earth'.
He said he is very much impressed to see the Buddhist heritage sites in Bangladesh and lauded the government initiatives for protecting those sites.
The minister also conveyed greetings of the Bhutanese King and Queen to the Prime Minister.
Sheikh Hasina also greeted the Bhutanese King and Queen through the minister.
PM's International Affairs Advisor Dr Gowher Rizvi, PMO Secretary Suraiya Begum and Power Secretary Monwarul Islam were present on the occasion.