Businessmen from both countries have emphasized on taking joint initiatives to utilize untapped new potential including increasing trade, commerce and investment between Bangladesh and Pakistan.
On Monday (January 13, 2025), at the ‘Bangladesh-Pakistan Business Forum’ organized by FBCCI with the business delegation of The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) at Hotel Sonargaon in the capital, business leaders from both countries expressed their interest in taking joint initiatives in various promising sectors. The meeting was presided over by FBCCI Administrator Md. Hafizur Rahman.
In his welcome address, the FBCCI Administrator said that although there has been continuous growth in trade and commerce between Bangladesh and Pakistan in the past years, many potential sectors including agriculture, textiles, medicine, ICT, etc. remain unexplored. Through joint initiatives, it is possible to increase trade and commerce between the two countries manifold.
Md. Hafizur Rahman emphasized on utilizing the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to strengthen Bangladesh-Pakistan trade relations.
The FBCCI Administrator said that there is an opportunity for the two countries to work closely in sectors such as energy, education, technology, human resource development, research and innovation to meet the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. He also mentioned that FBCCI and FPCCI can jointly take the initiative to organize various workshops, seminars, B2B meetings and ‘Single Country Trade Fair’.
At this time, Atif Ikram Sheikh, President of The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), said that there is a huge trade potential between Bangladesh and Pakistan. There is ample opportunity for the two countries to work together especially in the agriculture, pharmaceuticals, leather, machinery, chemicals, and ICT sectors. In this regard, the regional connectivity can be utilized. At the same time, he emphasized on the development of infrastructure, ports and logistics capacity, noting that there are several challenges in trade between the two countries.
Shakib Fayyaz Magun, Senior Vice President of FPCCI, said that it is possible to bring about a great change in the economy by working together in the agricultural sector as well as exchanging technical knowledge between the two countries.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between FBCCI and FPCCI on the formation of a Joint Business Council to strengthen trade between Bangladesh and Pakistan.
The meeting was attended by Mohammad Wasif, Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan in Dhaka, Nazneen Kawsar Chowdhury, Additional Secretary (Trade Wing) of the Ministry of Commerce, Former Director and Member of the Supporting Committee of FBCCI Ghiyasuddin Chowdhury (Khokon), Secretary General of FBCCI Md. Alamgir, Engr. Md. Sajibul-al-Rajib, FBCCI member and Director of Business in Bangladesh, Rafiuzzaman Rafi, TOAB President and other business leaders, members of the FPCCI business delegation were present.
