Bhutan has expressed happiness over acceptance of its request of exemption from application of any export bans on essential commodities.
Anand Sharma, minister of commerce, industry and textiles, during his meeting with Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk, minister for economic affairs of Bhutan, recently, informed that director-general of foreign trade has issued notification exempting Bhutan from the application of export ban on milk powder, wheat, edible oil, pulses and non-Basmati rice with annual limits indicated by the Bhutanese side.
“India values the special relationship with Bhutan and we will be happy to expand our multifaceted cooperation which already covers key sectors such as hydropower, health, education, human resource development, media, telecom, ICT and infrastructure,” said Sharma.
Total trade between the two countries has been increasing. Total exports to Bhutan were $176 million while total imports from Bhutan were $201.57 million during 2010-11. India’s trade balance with Bhutan has turned negative from 2006 i.e. India imports more than it exports to Bhutan. Both the minister expressed the confidence that the trade could be diversified and also be doubled in less than 5 years.
Source : fnbnews.com