Pakistan business team arrives in Dhaka

FE REPORT
A 30-member business delegation from Pakistan, led by Atif Ikram Sheikh, president of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), arrived in Dhaka on Saturday on a five-day visit with the aim of boosting bilateral trade.
The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) invited the delegation to promote business relations, according to Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka.
The delegation includes senior leaders, including FPCCI senior vice-president Saquib Fayyaz Magoon and its vice-president Zaki Aijaz.
During their visit, the delegation will meet Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus.
On Sunday afternoon, they are scheduled to meet Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin at the Secretariat.
They will also meet Jashim Uddin, president of the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, on the same day.
On January 13, the delegation will participate in a business-to-business meeting organised by the FBCCI in Dhaka.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will be signed on Monday to establish a joint business council to strengthen trade cooperation between the two countries.
The team is also scheduled to meet the vice-president of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) on Tuesday, along with a meeting with the leaders of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI).
The team members are likely to visit Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) and hold meetings with senior officials from Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA).
Despite their geographic proximity, trade between Bangladesh and Pakistan has remained limited.
Trade relations have been strained for over more than a decade, particularly during the tenure of the previous Awami League government.
The prices of high-demand Pakistani goods in Bangladesh, such as Rooh Afza, basmati rice and some sports items, have surged due to limited availability.
With bilateral trade currently below $1.0 billion, the FPCCI is leading the exporters' delegation to enhance trade relations, according to Pakistani media.
The Bangladesh envoy has expressed hope that bilateral trade can increase to $2.0-3.0 billion, the media reports said.
It further said that Bangladesh's Deputy High Commissioner Mahbubul Alam held talks with the FPCCI leadership to discuss the delegation's activities and opportunities during their visit.
Mr. Alam, quoted as saying in the media, noted that current bilateral trade stands at approximately $800 million but could be significantly increased if both the countries explore untapped export potential.
Pakistani onions entered the Bangladesh market in 2024 following an export ban by India. Exports of onions also occurred in 2022 though no shipments were made in 2023. However, the volume of exports has remained low.
In fruits, shipments of kinno and apples to Bangladesh were sent in small quantities in 2024, continuing a trend of low-volume exports.
Other products with strong export potential to Bangladesh include dates, mangoes, grapes and onions.
The Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan has stated that exports to Bangladesh could earn $200 million annually in foreign exchange, Pakistani media reported.
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