Commerce Adviser Sk. Bashir Uddin on Monday expressed the hope that the Pakistan-Bangladesh Business Forum would play an important role in strengthening the bilateral trade relations and boosting economic cooperation.

The Commerce Adviser was addressing the inaugural ceremony of the Pakistan-Bangladesh Business Forum as the chief guest at a hotel in the city.

He noted that such forum would work as a platform for creating linkage among the business entities and trade bodies of the two countries, enhancing trade and exploring investment opportunities, reports BSS.

Bashir also stressed on strengthening people to people contact of the two countries, said a press release.

Citing that the trade volume between Bangladesh and Pakistan is not a desired level despite both the countries being densely populated ones, he said that the businessmen of the two countries would have to come forward in gaining desired trade goals.

The Commerce Adviser said apart from discussing on the tariff and non-tariff barriers between the two countries, there is also a need for working out on how to rationalize those.

Later, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA) to strengthen bilateral trade.

Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) Vice-Chairman and BGMEA Administrator Md Anwar Hossain and PRGMEA Vice-Chairman Amir Reaz Chhottani signed the MoU on behalf of their respective sides.

Pakistan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Syed Ahmed Maroof, FBCCI Administrator Md Hafizur Rahman and BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem were present, among others, on the occasion.

The Pakistan-Bangladesh Forum brought together leading textile producers from Pakistan and key industry stakeholders from Bangladesh.

The event highlighted the growing collaboration between the two neighboring countries in the textile sector.
A number of Pakistani textile manufacturers participated in the forum alongside representatives from Messe Frankfurt, one of the world’s leading trade fair organizers.

Messe Frankfurt Bangladesh, which proudly serves over 150 Bangladeshi exporters across international exhibitions such as Apparel Sourcing, Texworld, and Ambiente, reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating cross-border trade opportunities.

“This was a good opportunity to help us connect Pakistani and Bangladeshi businessmen,” said Omer Salahuddin, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Bangladesh.

“We’ve worked in this region for over 45 years and have offices in Karachi and Dhaka to help bring business people together,” he said.

With over 40 textile shows, we can help people meet or as our motto says, “We make markets, Worldwide,” he added.

The Forum provided a platform for dialogue, networking, and exploring new business synergies between Pakistan and Bangladesh.