Pak businessmen visit Dhaka after 12 years

LAHORE: A Pakistani business delegation, led by President of the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Atif Ikram Sheikh, met Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin at the Commerce Ministry Conference Room at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Sunday.

Matters of enhancing bilateral economic relations and boosting investments between the two nations were discussed. The Pakistani delegation is visiting Bangladesh after a 12-year hiatus after the end of Hasina Wajid regime. The meeting was also attended by Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Syed Ahmed Maroof. The Pakistani business delegation is now visiting Bangladesh at the invitation of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI).

According to the Bangladeshi media reports, during the meeting, they discussed in detail issues related to bilateral trade between the two countries, simplification of visa procedures, launching of direct flight operations between Pakistan and Bangladesh and future investment prospects.

Bangladesh’s Minister for Commerce, Bashiruddin, emphasized to work together in order to explore economic, industrial, business and trade opportunities with Pakistan. Both the countries had agreed to increase mutual trade and that efforts would be made to encourage Pakistani businesses. The commerce adviser said that initiatives have already been taken to make sustainable trade relations with Pakistan, said a Commerce Ministry press release. Considering the population volume of the two countries, he said that the volume of trade was still very low. “Both the countries have opportunities to increase trade further.”

Bashir emphasized that the Pakistani businessmen need to have more dialogue with Bangladeshi businessmen. He said that exploring possible cooperation between them would benefit both the countries.

Meanwhile, according to a statement from FPCCI, the delegation met Sheikh Bashiruddin, Bangladesh’s Minister for Commerce. The Pakistani representatives stressed the importance of increasing economic ties and investment opportunities between the two countries.

FPCCI President Sheikh believed that it was the beginning of a new era, and Pakistan will stand by Bangladesh in every situation. He highlighted that Bangladesh’s Minister for Commerce had expressed his commitment to prioritizing trade relations with Pakistan.

The delegates welcomed the easing of visa conditions for Pakistanis by Bangladesh, urging the issuance of long-term visas to the Pakistani business community. Pakistan had also relaxed visa restrictions for Bangladesh nationals.

The president of FPCCI cited that due to visa related complications and lack of direct flight operations, the Pakistani businessmen are not able to increase their trade and commerce with Bangladesh at desired level. In this regard, Atif called for taking initiatives to resolve the existing complications.

The Pakistani business delegation expressed interest to invest in agricultural production and marketing, education, tourism and ceramic sectors in Bangladesh. Mentioning that the Pakistan government has launched an export facilitation scheme, they said that the Bangladeshi businessmen can invest in Pakistan under this scheme. They also expressed their interest in organising a trade expo in Bangladesh.