President’s call to increase trade and investment with Pakistan

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has emphasised further expanding cooperation in various areas of mutual interest including business-trade, investment, air connectivity, education and training with Pakistan. The President made this call when Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Haider paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban on Sunday (September 13).

During the meeting discussions were held on strengthening economic relations between the two countries and utilising new commercial possibilities. The President said Pakistan is an important partner of Bangladesh. If communication between the businessmen and entrepreneurs of the two countries can be increased, new opportunities for trade and investment will be created and the people of both countries will get its benefits.

Mentioning the demand for Pakistani ready-made garments, especially women’s clothes, in Bangladesh, the President stressed utilising the possibility of importing the country’s ready-made garments, cotton yarn and other products. At the same time he also mentioned that there is opportunity to increase the export of quality products including ceramics, betel leaf, agricultural products and medicines of Bangladesh to the market of Pakistan. The President also spoke about the necessity of making the relations more balanced by reducing the trade deficit between the two countries.

Pakistan’s High Commissioner informed that a trade fair of Pakistani products will be organised in Dhaka in October. He called for organising a similar fair in Pakistan with Bangladeshi products as well. Besides, Imran Haider also highlighted the possibility of joint investment of entrepreneurs of the two countries in the production of various sports equipment including football. Praising the quality of Bangladeshi tea he called for exporting more tea by utilising the existing duty-free facility in the market of Pakistan.

Expressing satisfaction over the reopening of direct air connectivity between Dhaka and Karachi the High Commissioner said this connectivity is playing an important role in increasing business-trade, medical tourism and communication among the people of the two countries. He emphasised further increasing the number of flights between the two countries. At that time the President also spoke about exchange of training of members of the civil administration and the armed forces and expansion of opportunities for higher education in science, engineering, technology and medical science.

At the meeting the High Commissioner reiterated the invitation from Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari to Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir to visit Pakistan. Thanking for the invitation the President also invited the President of Pakistan to visit Bangladesh at a convenient time. When Imran Haider sought the President’s cooperation in performing his duties in Bangladesh he assured full cooperation. The President expressed hope that the relations between the two countries will become more multidimensional and fruitful by increasing trade, investment, education, culture, training and communication among the people.