The businessmen of Bangladesh and Pakistan on Wednesday called upon their respective governments to remove all tariff and non-tariff barriers to boost bilateral trade for the mutual benefit of the two brotherly countries.
They made the request during a business-to-business (B2B) meeting at the Gulshan office of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) in the capital.
At the meeting, the Bangladeshi businessmen and traders said that there is a good possibility of importing dates, oranges and other types of fruits and also agriculture produce from Pakistan during the month of Ramadan and throughout the year given price competitiveness. They noted that Bangladesh, too, has the chance to export different goods to Pakistan.
While delivering the welcome address, Administrator of the FBCCI Md Hafizur Rahman said that the demand for dates and other fruits significantly rises during the month of Ramadan in Bangladesh. Pakistan could be a competitive and easy source for Bangladesh for importing fruits and agriculture items, he said.
Stressing the need for enhancing bilateral trade and investment between Bangladesh and Pakistan, he said that joint venture in private sector and mutual cooperation could help expand mutual trade and investment between the two countries. He also laid emphasis on signing a trade agreement between Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Business representatives from both countries underscored the need for developing goods shipment system, establishing proper cold storage facilities, and improving packaging, supply chains and other logistics to facilitate and expand bilateral trade.
General Secretary of Bangladesh Fresh Fruits Importer Association Noruddin Ahmed told the FE that there is a potential for importing Pakistani fruits into Bangladesh. He called upon the governments of the two countries to remove tariff and non-tariff barriers.
Trade and Investment Attaché of Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka Zain Aziz, Chief of FBCCI International Affairs Section Md Jafar Iqbal, and leaders of Bangladesh Fresh Fruits Importer Association were present.
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