Businessmen from both countries have emphasized the importance of taking joint initiatives to exploit unexplored new potential, including increasing trade, commerce, and investment between Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Business leaders of the two countries expressed their interest in undertaking joint ventures in various potential sectors at a meeting titled ‘Bangladesh-Pakistan Business Forum’ organized by the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) along with a business delegation at Hotel Sonargaon in the capital on Monday (January 13, 2025). The meeting was presided over by FBCCI Administrator Md. Hafizur Rahman.

In his welcome address, the FBCCI Administrator said that while there has been a steady 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 the importance of 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 the time, Atif Ikram Sheikh, President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), said that there is 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 benefits of regional connectivity can be utilized. At the same time, he emphasized on the development of infrastructure, port, and logistics capacity, noting that there are several challenges in trade between the two countries.

FPCCI Senior Vice President Shakib Fayaz Magun said that it is possible to bring about a huge change in the economy by working together in the agricultural sector and exchanging technical knowledge between the two countries.

At the meeting, 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 Pakistan’s Deputy High Commissioner in Dhaka Mohammad Wasif, Additional Secretary (Commerce Wing) of the Ministry of Commerce Nazneen Kawsar Chowdhury, former FBCCI director and member of the supporting committee Giasuddin Chowdhury (Khokon), FBCCI Secretary General Md. Alamgir, former FBCCI directors and other business leaders, and members of the FPCCI business delegation.