Bangladesh and Pakistan discussed ways to expand bilateral trade, improve market access and strengthen cooperation in textiles and apparel during a meeting between Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Mahmud Hasan Khan and Pakistan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Haider, the BGMEA said in a statement on Sunday.
The meeting was held at the BGMEA office in Uttara, Dhaka, as the two sides explored opportunities to deepen economic and commercial ties between the two countries.
The discussion focused on addressing the imbalance in bilateral trade, with BGMEA noting that Bangladesh imports significant volumes of products from Pakistan, including raw materials used by the garment industry, while its exports to Pakistan remain comparatively low.
Khan called for increased imports of chemicals and dyes from Pakistan for Bangladesh’s apparel industry. He also urged Pakistan to increase imports of Bangladeshi jute yarn and pharmaceutical products.
Haider expressed interest in the proposals and assured the BGMEA president that the Pakistani side would take steps to promote bilateral trade, the statement said.
The two sides also discussed exchanges of high-level business delegations to identify new commercial opportunities. Haider said that if a Bangladeshi delegation comprising exporters from the apparel and other sectors visits Pakistan, the High Commission would facilitate business-to-business meetings and matchmaking sessions with leading Pakistani importers, brands, buyers and business organisations.
Market access and the future of bilateral trade after Bangladesh’s graduation from least developed country (LDC) status were also discussed.
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Bangladesh currently receives duty-free market access under the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) as an LDC. The two sides discussed the possibility of developing a bilateral preferential or free-trade arrangement to help maintain trade flows and address potential market-access challenges following Bangladesh’s LDC graduation.
Logistics and shipping were another focus of the meeting. Khan said the time required for direct maritime shipments between the two countries remains a challenge and called for efforts to reduce transit times and improve logistics connectivity.
The meeting also covered long-term human-resource development and institutional cooperation in the textile, apparel and fashion sectors.
Haider proposed greater collaboration between Bangladesh University of Fashion & Technology (BUFT) and leading Pakistani textile and fashion institutes, including student exchanges, knowledge sharing and technical cooperation. He also highlighted the potential for joint initiatives to promote advances in textile technology.
The meeting was attended by BGMEA Senior Vice-President Enamul Haque Khan, Vice-President Md Rejwan Selim, directors Shah Raiad Chowdhury and Mohammad Sohel, Secretary General Major General Dr Md Sahedul Islam (Retd), and senior officials of the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka.
Both sides expressed optimism that the discussions would contribute to stronger economic cooperation and closer commercial relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan.