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Published : 27 Oct 2025, 09:23 PM
Finance Advisor Salehuddin Ahmed has said discussions were held on increasing sea and air connectivity between the two countries at the Joint Economic Commission meeting, held after two decades.
On Monday, he said the “people of the two countries will benefit” from this, a sentiment echoed by Pakistan’s Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik.
Salehuddin made the remarks after the meeting on Monday at the Planning Commission in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka.
Salehuddin said the meeting covered several issues, including boosting shipping and air connectivity between Bangladesh and Pakistan.
“This has not happened since 2005. We also discussed agriculture, information technology, science and technology, and food and nutrition -- issues important for the people of both countries,” he added.
Malik said, “We met after 20 years and created a positive momentum that will benefit both countries.
“We aim to bring visible progress through mutual cooperation and reduce the bilateral trade deficit, now below $1 billion.
“Our countries complement each other, and we will try to increase intra-country trade.”
When asked about imports from Bangladesh, he said Pakistan is regularly importing jute and is exploring opportunities in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and other sectors.
Discussions on fuel sector cooperation are set to take place with Pakistan’s energy advisor.
During the meeting, the Pakistan Halal Authority (PHA) signed an agreement with the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) to boost halal product exports.
Any BSTI-approved product can now be exported to Pakistan.
The last JEC meeting was held on Sept 12, 2005.
After a gap due to security concerns under the Awami League government in 2009, bilateral trade relations have begun to normalise.
In September 2024, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Syed Ahmed Maroof met Salehuddin, urging stronger trade ties.
Following this, the interim government removed Pakistani products from Bangladesh’s “red list”, and the 9th JEC meeting marked a new step in strengthening trade relations.
