Bangladeshi businesses and importers have identified Pakistan as a promising source of fruits and agricultural products, including dates and oranges, to cater to the country’s year-round demand, particularly during Ramadan.
They have also highlighted the potential for exporting Bangladeshi goods to Pakistan, calling for the removal of tariff and non-tariff trade barriers.
The discussions took place during a meeting between the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and a delegation of Pakistani business representatives held in Gulshan, Dhaka on Wednesday (22 January).
The meeting was chaired by the FBCCI administrator, Hafizur Rahman, who, in his welcome speech, pointed out the significant demand for dates during Ramadan, along with the rising need for other fruits.
He noted that throughout the year, the local market in Bangladesh maintains high demand for both domestic and imported fruits, and Pakistan could serve as an affordable and accessible source.
Emphasising the scope for expanding bilateral trade, Hafizur Rahman stressed the importance of joint initiatives within the private sector and mutual cooperation.
He also underscored the need to formalise a Bangladesh-Pakistan trade agreement to bolster commercial ties.
Both Bangladeshi and Pakistani business leaders advocated improving logistics, supply chains, cold storage, packaging, and transportation infrastructure to facilitate and expand trade between the two nations.
The meeting was attended by Zain Aziz, trade and investment attaché of the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka, along with the FBCCI's International Affairs chief, Zafar Iqbal, other FBCCI leaders, members of the Pakistani business delegation, and representatives of the Bangladesh Fresh Fruits Importer Association.
