The Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Karachi, SM Mahbubul Alam, has announced the launch of direct flights between Pakistan and Bangladesh in near future. This development is expected to significantly enhance bilateral relations and foster stronger ties between the business communities of the two nations.
During his visit to the Hyderabad Chamber of Small Traders and Small Industry (HCSTSI), Alam also revealed plans to organize an exhibition for importers and exporters from both countries in Hyderabad. The event will be held in collaboration with HCSTSI to promote trade opportunities. Additionally, he extended an invitation to Pakistani businesses to participate in the Annual Trade Exhibition scheduled to take place in Dhaka in January 2025, assuring that the visa process would be streamlined to facilitate their participation.
Highlighting the potential for increased trade, Alam shared that Bangladesh’s interim Chief Adviser, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, had emphasized the importance of leveraging opportunities to enhance trade relations with Pakistan. He described Bangladesh as a lucrative market and encouraged HCSTSI to send a trade delegation to Dhaka, pledging to personally monitor and expedite the visa process for traders.
Alam noted that Bangladesh currently exports products to 80 countries, generating billions of dollars in revenue. However, he stressed the need to further expand trade by strengthening ties with Pakistan.
Speaking on the occasion, HCSTSI President Muhammad Saleem Memon highlighted the shared history, culture, and trade between Pakistan and Bangladesh. He pointed to the significant progress in trade relations, including the milestone achieved on November 11, when the first-ever direct cargo shipment was successfully sent from Pakistan to Bangladesh.
Memon urged Bangladeshi traders to actively participate in exhibitions in Pakistan and called on the Bangladeshi High Commission to facilitate Pakistani traders in attending expos in Bangladesh. He emphasized that such initiatives would pave the way for greater trade collaboration between the two countries.
Memon also raised concerns about the challenges faced by Pakistani exporters in customs clearance at Dhaka and called for a swift resolution to these issues. He proposed the establishment of a direct trade line to reduce time and costs, while also advocating for simplified visa policies to ensure smoother trade and eliminate barriers.
To further streamline processes, Memon recommended the formation of a liaison committee to address trade-related challenges and enhance cooperation between the two nations.
