Bangladesh, Pakistan Eye Stronger Economic and Cultural Ties

In a significant move to enhance bilateral trade

and diplomatic engagement, Bangladesh DHC

in Karachi, paid an official visit to Nawabshah

Staff Reporter

Karachi: In a significant move to enhance bilateral trade and diplomatic engagement, Bangladesh Deputy High Commissioner in Karachi, S.M. Mahbubul Alam, paid an official visit to Nawabshah (Shaheed Benazirabad) from July 10 to 13, 2025.

During his visit, he held productive meetings with prominent business leaders and office bearers of the Shaheed Benazirabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SBCCI). The delegation, including the Chamber’s President, Senior Vice President, Vice Presidents, Secretary, and other members, warmly welcomed the Bangladeshi envoy.

Focus on Trade, Investment, and Business Delegations

Deputy High Commissioner Alam emphasized the vast potential for trade, investment, and economic cooperation between Bangladesh and Pakistan. He highlighted the upcoming 3rd Single Country Exhibition of Pakistan in Bangladesh, scheduled for September 2025, and extended an invitation to Pakistani business delegations to participate.

Encouraging bilateral trade, he urged Pakistani importers to explore Bangladesh’s diverse export offerings and also invited them to the Dhaka International Trade Fair in January 2026. The diplomat expressed optimism that bilateral trade could soon cross the US $1 billion mark and hinted at the launch of direct flights between both countries in the near future.

He also elaborated on Bangladesh’s investor-friendly policies, encouraging Pakistani entrepreneurs and investors to explore opportunities in sectors such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, leather, and ICT. Plans for hosting a Single Country Exhibition of Bangladesh in Pakistan were also discussed.

Strengthening People-to-People and Institutional Ties

The Deputy High Commissioner also met with the Mayor of Shaheed Benazirabad, local administration officials, and members of the Nawabshah Press Club. All stakeholders echoed the untapped potential for expanding trade and cultural cooperation between the two SAARC nations.

Business leaders expressed their eagerness to send trade delegations to Bangladesh, while officials stressed the need to identify new areas of import-export cooperation. Participants also emphasized boosting collaboration in education, science, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.

The Bangladesh envoy assured full visa facilitation for business, cultural, tourist, sports, and student delegations through the Bangladesh Mission in Karachi, stating that such applications would be processed on a priority basis.