Published: 12:06 AM, 19 August 2026
BD, Bhutan stress revitalizing SAARC for regional integration
Bangladesh and Bhutan on Tuesday stressed the need to revitalize SAARC to advance regional integration and ensure collective benefits for the peoples of South Asia.
The issue was discussed when Bhutanese Foreign Secretary Pema Lektup Dorji called on State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed various issues of mutual interest, with particular emphasis on regional cooperation and economic engagement.
Shama recalled the vision of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman for regional cooperation, noting that he had mooted the idea of establishing the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
Against this backdrop, the two sides emphasised the importance of reinvigorating the regional grouping to foster greater integration and deliver collective benefits to the peoples of South Asia. The State Minister also appreciated Bhutan's Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) initiative and underscored the need for expeditious operationalisation of the Bhutanese Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Kurigram.
She expressed hope that the two special zones, once operational, would complement each other and help advance mutually beneficial economic engagement between Bangladesh and Bhutan.Shama said the initiatives could contribute to expanding bilateral trade and investment, generating employment and strengthening connectivity between the two neighbouring countries.
