Pakistan Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan sees the potential for development after overcoming the crisis in trade relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan. He believes that it is possible to increase bilateral trade manifold by taking necessary steps and mutual cooperation between the two countries.
A discussion meeting of business leaders was organized at the Motijheel office of FBCCI on Sunday (August 24, 2025) afternoon with Pakistan Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, who is visiting Dhaka. Various aspects of trade, industry, food and investment cooperation between the two countries were discussed in the meeting. The meeting was presided over by FBCCI Administrator Md. Hafizur Rahman.
At the meeting, Pakistan Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan said that both countries are currently in a positive position to improve relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan. There is also considerable interest among businessmen. There is an opportunity to increase trade in many sectors including tourism, culture, shipbuilding, construction, ICT, etc. He said that a sector-wise delegation from Pakistan will visit Bangladesh in phases to identify potential sectors in Bangladesh.
Referring to the experience of visiting the port city of Chittagong in Bangladesh during the ongoing tour, he said that various companies in Bangladesh build ships. Pakistan also has to import ships. There is an opportunity to work jointly here. Moreover, the Pakistani Commerce Minister has seen an opportunity to import construction materials from Bangladesh.
However, Jam Kamal Khan mentioned the importance of paying attention to trilateral trade relations in addition to bilateral trade. He said that if Bangladesh and Pakistan work together, there can be opportunities to capture the huge markets of Africa and Central Asia.
Earlier, in the president’s speech, FBCCI Administrator Md. Hafizur Rahman said that although there is a trade deficit between Bangladesh and Pakistan, the economic relations of the two countries are gradually strengthening through mutual cooperation. There is more potential for mutual cooperation in trade, investment and technology. The two countries must work together to explore new opportunities to increase mutual development and potential. In particular, joint cooperation in promoting Public Private Partnership (PPP), advance research in bilateral FTAs, joint research and development, cooperation in ICT, agri-food processing, MSME, startup ecosystem, tourism, fintech, high value chain, textile, jute, consumer goods, light engineering, automobile, logistics, services, etc., and working together in the digital economy.
Md. Hafizur Rahman said that FBCCI is ready to organize meetings and seminars with entrepreneurs from both countries to increase business contacts between Bangladesh and Pakistan.
FBCCI Secretary General Md. Alamgir said at the meeting that the private sector and businessmen have a huge contribution to the economy of Bangladesh. The business community plays a role in formulating all kinds of economic policies, big and small. Steps must be taken now to strengthen relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan at the individual and business level. It is important to exchange delegations to identify the trade potential of the two countries and increase imports and exports. For this, he called for visa facilitation between the two countries.
Bangladesh CNG Machinery Importers Association President Zakir Hossain Nayan, former FBCCI Director Khandaker Ruhul Amin, Niaz Ali Chishti, representatives of Dhaka Metropolitan Chamber and various business leaders also spoke at the meeting. The speakers emphasized the launch of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between the two countries, and the import of tea and jute products from Bangladesh as before.
Former FBCCI Director Giasuddin Chowdhury Khokon, Abul Hossain, Abu Hossain Bhuiyan (Ranu), Head of FBCCI International Wing Md. Zafar Iqbal ndc, FBCCI Safety Council Advisor Brig. Gen. (retd) Abu Naeem Md. Shahidullah, Trade and Investment Attaché of the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka Zain Aziz, among others, were also present at the meeting.
