Dhaka: Businessmen of both Bangladesh and Pakistan have emphasized on taking joint initiatives to tap into unexplored and new potentials to boost bilateral trade and investment. The business leaders of both the countries expressed their eagerness to take joint initiatives in various prospective sectors at the 'Bangladesh-Pakistan Business Forum' held here today, said a FBCCI press release.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the forum was held between the delegation of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and the delegation of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) with FBCCI Administrator Md. Hafizur Rahman in the chair. In his welcome address, the FBCCI Administrator said although there has been a continuous growth in trade and commerce between Bangladesh and Pakistan over the years, many potential sectors including agriculture, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and ICT, remained unexplored.
Md. Hafizur Rahman emphasized on utilizing the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to strengthen Bangladesh-Pakistan trade relations. He highlighted the ample scope for the two countries to work closely in sectors such as energy, education, technology, human resources development, research, and innovation to meet the challenges of the fourth industrial revolution.
He opined that the FBCCI and FPCCI can jointly take initiative to organize various workshops, seminars, B2B meetings and 'Single Country Trade Fair' to this end. Speaking on the occasion, Atif Ikram Sheikh, President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), said that there is a huge trade potential between Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Atif Ikram Sheikh added that there is ample scope for the two countries to work together, especially in the agriculture, pharmaceuticals, leather, machinery, chemicals, and ICT sectors, and the facilities of regional connectivity can be utilized. He also cited few challenges in trade between the two countries and emphasized the development of infrastructures, ports, and logistics capacity.
Shakib Fayaz Magun, Senior Vice President of FPCCI, commented that it is possible to bring about a significant change in the economy by working together in the agriculture sector and exchanging technological knowledge between the two countries. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed between FBCCI and FPCCI in the meeting to form a Joint Business Council to strengthen trade between the two countries.
The meeting was attended by Pakistan Deputy High Commissioner in Dhaka, Mohammad Wasif, Additional Secretary (Commerce Wing) of the Ministry of Commerce, Nazneen Kawsar Chowdhury, former FBCCI Director Giasuddin Chowdhury (Khokon), FBCCI Secretary General Md. Alamgir, former FBCCI directors, and other business leaders, along with members of the FPCCI business delegation.