Staff Correspondent

High Commissioner of Pakistan to Bangladesh Syed Ahmed Maroof today met the Administrator of the Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Md. Hafizur Rahman.

The meeting was held at the FBCCI Office in Gulshan in the capital.

Bilateral trade issues between Bangladesh and Pakistan including trade agreement, B2B meeting, Joint Business Council, acceptance of certificates between quality control authorities of both countries, import-export of halal food, SME, pharmaceutical and other potential sectors were discussed during the meeting.

While talking, FBCCI administrator Md. Hafizur Rahman said that despite having a huge potential for bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Pakistan, there is a deficit in import and export.

Currently, only 100 million dollars’ worth of goods are being exported from Bangladesh to Pakistan where imports are of 600 to 700 million, he added.

He said Bangladesh needs assistance to increase export of jute and jute products including other potential SME products in Pakistan.

However, FBCCI, the apex trade body of the country, will always play active role in strengthening trade relations between the two countries as well as creating new opportunities for businessmen and entrepreneurs, he added.

Pakistani High Commissioner Syed Ahmed Maroof said the Joint Business Council should be made more active in expanding trade between the two countries.

Therefore, a virtual meeting can be organized between the apex trade body FBCCI and FPCCI to implement the role of private sector in the economy of the two countries, he added.

Among others, FBCCI Secretary General Md. Alamgir, Head of International Wing Md. Zafar Iqbal ndc, business leaders were present at the meeting.