Bangladesh is going to sign its first ever preferential trade agreement with Bhutan on Sunday marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relationship between the two Asian countries.

‘We have set December 6 for signing the PTA with Bhutan as the country (Bhutan) first recognised the independence of Bangladesh on the day of 1971 although the liberation war was still going on,’ commerce minister Tipu Munshi said at a press conference held at state guest house Shugandha in the capital, Dhaka, on Saturday.

On behalf of Bangladesh, Tipu Munshi will sign the PTA while economic affairs minister of Bhutan Lyonpo Loknath Sharma has already signed the agreement and handed over the deal document to the Bangladesh envoy to Bhutan.

According to commerce ministry officials, 34 Bhutanese products would get duty-free market access to Bangladesh while 100 Bangladeshi products including readymade garment would get the same facility in Bhutan.

The commerce ministry organises a signing ceremony at the state guest house on Sunday and Bangladesh’s prime minister Sheikh Hasina and Bhutanese prime minister Lotay Tshering are scheduled to attend the programme virtually, Tipu Munshi said.