A delegation led by Atif Ikram Sheikh, President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) is meeting Commerce Advisor Sheikh Bashiruddin.
The meeting was held in the conference room of the Ministry of Commerce this Sunday (January 12, 2025) afternoon.
During the meeting, they discussed in detail the bilateral trade between the two countries, visa facilitation, direct flight operations from Pakistan and Bangladesh, and future investment prospects.
Commerce Advisor Sheikh Bashiruddin said that initiatives have been taken to make trade relations with Pakistan sustainable. Considering the population volume of the two countries, the volume of trade is very low. Both countries have opportunities to increase trade.
The Commerce Advisor said that Pakistani businessmen need to have more dialogue with Bangladeshi businessmen. He said that exploring possible cooperation between them would help both countries benefit.
The president of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), the apex body of Pakistani businessmen, said that Pakistani businessmen want to increase their trade and commerce in Bangladesh. Due to visa complications and lack of direct flights, businessmen from that country are not able to increase their trade and commerce to the desired extent. At the same time, he called for taking initiatives to resolve the existing complications in this regard.
The delegation expressed interest in investing in agricultural production and marketing, education, tourism and ceramic sectors in Bangladesh. The Pakistani government has launched an export facilitation scheme. They also mentioned that Bangladeshi businessmen can invest in Pakistan under this scheme. They also expressed interest in organizing a trade expo in Bangladesh.
Pakistan High Commissioner to Dhaka Syed Ahmed Maruf was present at the meeting.
It is worth noting that the Pakistani business delegation has visited Dhaka at the invitation of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), the apex organization of Bangladeshi businessmen.
