After 12 years, Pakistani members of business community visit Dhaka

• Meeting discusses streamlining of visa requirements.
• Bashir says exploring opportunities to benefit both nations.
• FPCCI President Atif believes it is beginning of new era.

A business delegation from Pakistan, headed by Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) President Atif Ikram Sheikh, called on Bangladesh’s Adviser to Ministry of Commerce Sheikh Bashir Uddin in Bangladesh on Sunday.

The meeting took place in Commerce Ministry Conference Room at the Bangladesh Secretariat in Dhaka. Pakistan's High Commissioner to Bangladesh Syed Ahmed Maroof also attended the meeting, The News reported.

The forum discussed matters pertaining to improving the two countries' bilateral economic ties and increasing mutual investment. This is after a 12-year break that a Pakistani business delegation is touring Bangladesh, following the overthrow of the Hasina Wajid’s dictatorship.

The business delegation from Pakistan arrived in Bangladesh at the invitation of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI).

The commencing of direct airline operations between Bangladesh and Pakistan, the streamlining of visa requirements, bilateral trade and potential future investment opportunities were all covered in depth at the discussion, as per the Bangladeshi media.

Bashir Uddin stressed the importance of cooperation in exploring business, trade, industrial, and economic prospects with Pakistan. The two nations committed to boosting commerce and making an effort to support Pakistani enterprises.

The commerce adviser said that initiatives have already been taken to make sustainable trade relations with Pakistan, said a Ministry of Commerce press release. Considering the population volume of the two countries, he said, the volume of trade was still very low. “Both the countries have opportunities to increase trade further.”

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

Meanwhile, according to a statement from the FPCCI, the delegation met Bashir. The Pakistani representatives stressed the importance of increasing economic ties and investment opportunities between the two countries.

FPCCI President Atif 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 prioritising 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.