Pakistan is looking to expand its exports to Bangladesh, particularly in products like cotton, sugar, rice, and wheat, according to Iqbal Hussain Khan, the Bangladesh High Commissioner to Pakistan. Speaking on trade prospects, Khan noted that Pakistan sees an opportunity to grow its export market in Bangladesh, especially if its products remain price-competitive, reports The Daily Star.
Business communities in both countries are expressing a strong interest in enhancing bilateral trade, according to diplomatic sources.
In the fiscal year 2023–24, Bangladesh exported goods worth $61.98 million to Pakistan, while importing $627.8 million worth of products, highlighting a significant trade imbalance.
High Commissioner Khan also pointed out that Pakistan’s strategic position as a gateway for goods from Afghanistan and Iran could allow Bangladesh to access products from those nations more easily via Pakistan.
Meanwhile, in a major step toward improving diplomatic relations, Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Amina Baloch is set to arrive in Dhaka today to participate in the Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) — the first such engagement in 15 years between the two nations.
The FOC, scheduled for tomorrow at the State Guest House Padma, will be co-led by Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin and Pakistan’s Amina Baloch. The meeting is expected to cover a broad range of issues including trade, connectivity, and regional cooperation, as both sides work to normalize ties after years of limited interaction.
