Bangladesh sees billions in untapped trade potential

LAHORE: The High Commissioner of Bangladesh, Iqbal Hussain Khan, has said that there was a considerable potential to expand trade between Pakistan and Bangladesh, pointing that currently bilateral trade amounted to around USD1 billion while the actual potential was worth several billion dollars.

Stronger cooperation, improved trade connectivity, removal of trade barriers and closer engagement between the business communities of both countries could help unlock this untapped potential and significantly increase bilateral trade, he added.

Speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), the high commissioner identified agriculture, textiles, pharmaceuticals, engineering, food processing, chemicals, minerals, education, healthcare and tourism as promising areas for bilateral collaboration.

He said Pakistani businesses had participated in the“Made in Pakistan” exhibitions in Bangladesh, while Bangladeshi business participation was also expected at an international exhibition in Karachi in November.

He highlighted Bangladesh’s potential to import Pakistani maize, basmati rice, textile raw materials, chemicals, minerals and manufactured goods, sugar, wheat, cereals and spices.

He said Bangladeshi pineapples had begun reaching Pakistan after clearances while seasonal fruits, agricultural produce and jaggery could further expand bilateral trade.

He also called for easier business visas, improved e-visa procedures and stronger direct air connectivity.

Pakistan could serve as a gateway to Central Asia, while Bangladesh offered access to Southeast Asia.

He said that more than 100 Bangladeshi students were studying at private universities in Pakistan and identified opportunities in scholarships, medical tourism and tourism, including Bangladesh’s coastal areas and Pakistan’s northern regions.

LCCI President Ali HussamAsghar proposed establishing a dedicated Bangladesh trade cell under the senior vice president to coordinate bilateral business activities. He suggested identifying five priority export sectors, linking LCCI with a leading chamber in Dhaka or Chittagong and initiating two to three virtual B2B meetings, followed by sector-specific meetings, trade delegations and reciprocal business visits.

Senior Vice President Usman Ghani, Vice President Khadim Hussain, Honorary Consul of Bangladesh,QaziHumayun Fareed, LCCI Executive Committee Members Naila Nadeem, Shahzad Ali Shah and Amir Ata Barry also spoke on the occasion.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026