Initiatives are being taken to implement the Bangladesh-Pakistan Joint Economic Commission, which has been inactive for a decade and a half, to increase trade and investment cooperation with Pakistan, said Trade Advisor Sheikh Bashiruddin.
He said these things while briefing journalists after a meeting with Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan at the Secretariat on Thursday (August 21, 2025) afternoon.
The Trade Advisor said that there were very intensive discussions with the Pakistani Commerce Minister. We are discussing the implementation of the Joint Economic Commission and the formation of a new Trade and Investment Commission.
He said that if the two countries can produce intermediate products jointly or through foreign investment, it will be profitable for both countries. The Advisor said that Pakistan has imposed anti-dumping duty on our hydrogen peroxide. We have requested that it be withdrawn. They have assured us. We have also sought assistance in developing our leather and sugar industries.
Bashiruddin said, Pakistan used to give us duty-free facilities for exporting 10 million kg of tea at one time, and we have requested to restore it.
The advisor said, Bangladesh imports $80 billion every year, of which $15 billion is food and intermediate products. A new Trade and Investment Commission is being formed to examine whether there is an opportunity to increase trade in these products between the two countries.
He said, we have discussed the import and export of agricultural and food products, fruits. We have sought Pakistan’s assistance in increasing the capacity to produce sugar locally. We have sought Pakistan’s investment in the production of intermediate products.
They have viewed all our proposals positively and these issues will be discussed in the new commission.
Asked whether Bangladesh is leaning towards Pakistan, the advisor said, “We are leaning towards everyone, Pakistan, the United States. We are also bringing onions from India. We are leaning towards the interests of Bangladesh first, wherever the interests of the country are.”
Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman said, “For the past decade and a half, trade with Pakistan has been negligible. We import various products including food and stones from various countries, and there is no problem if these products can be brought from Pakistan at competitive prices. At the same time, we have given importance to increasing our exports.
Currently, we import more from Pakistan and export less. If we can increase exports, it will be good for the country.”
