Dhaka, Nov 9 (IANS) Bangladesh and Bhutan Monday agreed to step up trade, explore cooperation in energy sector and focus on climate change at the next summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
Bhutan, that is to host the SAARC Summit next April, agreed to place climate change on top of the agenda at the end of a four-day visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The two agreed to work on land route connectivity through India on the assumption that the latter has given a nod in approval.

The three are members of SAARC, the eight-nation regional grouping that also has Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Male and Sri Lanka.

Hasina promised to waive 15 percent duty on 18 Bhutanese products, especially fruits, that it imports in large quantities, Star Online reported from Thimphu.

In response to a Bhutanese request, Hasina agreed to raise the yearly reserved seats for the Bhutanese students for MBBS courses in the government medical colleges in Bangladesh under SAARC quota, a joint communique issued at the end of the visit said.

The two leaders reiterated their commitment to promote peace, stability and security of the basis of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs and peaceful resolution of all disputes.

Officials earlier said Bangladesh’s export to Bhutan was less than $1 million while Bhutan’s exports to Bangladesh totals around $14 million.