PM reaches Bhutan

Desk Report: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reached Bhutan on a three-day state visit on Tuesday morning to attend an international conference on autism.

A Druk Air VVIP flight carrying the premier and her entourage members took off from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for Thimphu at 10.50am.

During the visit, the prime minister will attend an international conference on autism and neurodevelopmental disorders and hold meetings with Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and discuss bilateral and regional issues, PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim told media.

Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu, Minister for Road Transport and Bridges Obaidul Qader, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon, Chief Whip ASM Firoz, PM's Media Advisor Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury and Cabinet Secretary M Shafiul Alam saw the prime minister off at the airport.

Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, Prime Minister's Adviser Dr. Gowher Rizvi, State Minister for Health Jahid Malik, chairperson of Bangladesh National Advisory Committee for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Saima Wazed Hossain and concerned senior government officials are accompanying the prime minister.

The flight is scheduled to reach Paro International Airport in the Bhutanese capital at 11.35am, local time.

Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and Bangladesh Ambassador in Thimphu Jishnu Roy Choudhury will receive the premier at the airport. At that time she will be presented ceremonial Khadhar (scarf).

From the airport, a ceremonial motorcade would escort the prime minister to La Meridien Thimphu where she will be staying during the visit.

The three-day "International Conference on Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders" begins at Bhutanese capital tomorrow.

Sheikh Hasina will attend the "International Conference on Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders" as the "guest of honour".

She will chair a high-level discussion titled "Enabling countries to successfully address autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders as part of their Sustainable Development Goals".

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of Bangladesh and the Ministry of Health of Bhutan with the technical support of Shuchona Foundation, a not-for-profit advocacy research organization of Bangladesh, Ability Bhutan Society (ABS), and World Health Organization South-East Asia Regional Office are jointly organising the conference.

The theme of the conference is "Developing effective and sustainable multi-sectoral programmes for individuals, families and communities living with ASD and other neurodevelopmental disorders."

Apart from opening and closing ceremonies, a number of technical sessions will be held in the conference.

Government leaders, policymakers, experts and activists from across the globe will discuss strategic viewpoints to spread awareness about autism in the conference.

The prime minister will have an audience with Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema at the Royal Palace.

The prime minister's meeting with her Bhutanese counterpart Tshering Tobgay at Gyalyong Tshogkhang will be followed by signing of six deals on water management, hydro-power, connectivity and trade.

The prime minister will unveil the foundation plaque of the Chancery of Bangladesh Embassy at Hejo.

The Bhutanese King and Queen will host a private dinner in honour of the prime minister tomorrow.

After wrapping up her three-day visit to Bhutan, Sheikh Hasina will return home on Thursday morning (April 20).

BSS

risingbd/DHAKA/Apr 18, 2017/Saiful/Amirul