Bhutanese Foreign Minister Dr Tandi Dorji has stressed on the early conclusion of transit agreement and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on the use of inland waterways of Bangladesh by Bhutan. The Bhutanese Foreign Minister also requested to open up new Land Custom Stations(LCS)/landport for transportation of bilateral trade goods. Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday met the Bhutanese Foreign Minister in Sri Lankan capital city and discussed issues of mutual interest. Read:Sri Lanka offers greater use of Colombo port by Bangladesh The Bhutanese Foreign Minister thanked the Government and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for all the support extended to Bhutan during the time of necessity. He specially thanked Bangladesh for the medicines sent to Bhutan which helped combat COVID-19. The two Ministers agreed to work closely in the areas of power and energy. Both the Foreign Ministers agreed to move forward with MoU on cooperation in hydropower investment for mutual benefit. The Bhutanese Foreign Minister informed with encouragement that their Government is going to lift mandatory quarantine for the official delegation from around the world by the end of April. He proposed that the long pending Foreign Office Consultations and Commerce Secretary Level Talks with Bangladesh could be held soon. Both the Foreign Ministers agreed to work together in various regional and multilateral fora for common benefits. The Bhutanese Foreign Minister invited the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh to visit Bhutan at a mutually convenient time. Read:BIMSTEC leaders pledge to intensify regional cooperation to offset economic losses The meeting ended in a positive note with commitment of working together bilaterally, regionally and internationally. Secretary (East) Mashfee Binte Shams, Rector of Bangladesh Foreign Service Academy Asad Alam Siam and High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Sri Lanka Tareq Md Ariful Islam were also present.

Though the number of launch capsizes has decreased, different type of vessels accident is taking place on inland waterways round the year and deaths of people continue, said a report of two non-government organisations on Saturday.

The first phase of the 'Capital Dredging on 53 Important Inland Waterways’ project is unlikely to end by the deadline with officials blaming a resistance from locals, disputes over demarcation, leasing out of sand fields as well as inadequate space for dumping dredged materials for the delay.