Dhaka:Fresh opportunities for expanding trade and industrial cooperation between Bangladesh and Pakistan have emerged, as stated by Prime Minister's Adviser on Public Administration, Ismail Zabiullah. He announced that discussions have begun to strengthen the existing bilateral relations between the two countries during a meeting with Pakistan's High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Imran Haider.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Pakistani High Commissioner led a three-member delegation in the meeting. Both parties expressed interest in establishing joint ventures in Bangladesh to manufacture sports equipment, leveraging the expertise of Sialkot's renowned sports manufacturers. They discussed producing various sports gear, technology transfer, skill development, and enhancing local manufacturing capabilities.
The meeting also highlighted the potential for athletic training exchanges and experience sharing. Pakistan's government expressed interest in signing Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Bangladeshi training institutions to enhance skills and facilitate mutual learning. Proposed MoUs include those between the Bangladesh Public Administration Training Centre and Pakistan's National School of Public Policy, as well as between the Bangladesh Civil Service Administration Academy and Pakistan's Civil Service Academy.
The High Commissioner noted Pakistan's allocation of a quota for the duty-free import of 10,000 metric tons of Bangladeshi tea annually and discussed increasing exports of Bangladeshi tea, pineapples, and shrimp to Pakistan. Initiatives to expand trade in these products were emphasized.
In health sector cooperation, Pakistan offered to provide free liver transplants for 10 Bangladeshi patients each year and proposed training for Bangladeshi medical professionals in liver transplantation. Opportunities for medical service exchange and tourism expansion between the countries were also discussed.
Further cooperation in the pharmaceutical industry, tourism, jute industry, education, and aviation was highlighted, with a focus on sharing expertise and expanding trade. The resumption of direct flights between Dhaka and Karachi, after a 14-year hiatus, was noted as a significant step towards enhancing bilateral relations and people-to-people contact.
Both sides expressed optimism about the potential to expand trade and investment, leveraging these opportunities to inject new momentum into their bilateral ties.