Pakistani High Commissioner Syed Ahmed Maroof stated that the governments of Pakistan and Bangladesh are working earnestly to establish direct air connectivity between the two countries. Direct flights are expected to launch this year, facilitating the use of Pakistan as a corridor for Bangladeshi traders to expand their export markets in the Middle East and Central Asia.
He made these remarks on Monday (January 13) at a meeting with visiting Pakistani businessmen at a hotel in the capital.
Syed Ahmed Maroof mentioned that whether Bangladeshi airlines or Pakistani airlines initiate the flights first is irrelevant. The primary goal is to establish communication between the people of both countries.
During the meeting, Atif Ikram Sheikh, President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), highlighted the significant trade potential between Bangladesh and Pakistan. He emphasized the opportunities for collaboration in sectors such as agriculture, pharmaceuticals, leather, machinery, chemicals, and ICT, which can be leveraged through regional connectivity.
Md. Hafizur Rahman, Administrator of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), also spoke at the meeting. He noted that although there has been consistent growth in trade between Bangladesh and Pakistan over the past years, many promising sectors, including agriculture, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and ICT, remain untapped. He stressed that joint ventures could significantly boost trade between the two nations.
Rahman called for utilizing regional bodies like the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to strengthen Bangladesh-Pakistan trade relations. He also highlighted the potential for close cooperation between the two countries in addressing the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in areas such as energy, education, technology, human resource development, research, and innovation.
The FBCCI administrator proposed joint initiatives between FBCCI and FPCCI, including workshops, seminars, B2B meetings, and single-country trade fairs.
Following the meeting, a memorandum of understanding was signed to form a Joint Business Council between the top business organizations of Bangladesh and Pakistan to bolster bilateral trade.
It is noteworthy that discussions on Bangladesh-Pakistan relations have resurfaced following the fall of the Awami League government due to a student-people uprising. Since the interim government took charge, there has been an increase in commercial and diplomatic engagements between the two countries. Direct shipping between the ports of Karachi and Chittagong has already commenced, leading to the current announcement of direct flights between the two nations.
