Pakistan, BD have vast potential to expand bilateral trade: HC

FAISALABAD: Pakistan and Bangladesh have vast opportunities to expand bilateral trade, but stronger air and sea connectivity is essential to achieving this goal, Bangladesh High Commissioner to Pakistan Md Iqbal Hussain Khan said during a meeting with Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) President Arif Ehsan Malik.

During his visit to the FCCI, the High Commissioner said bilateral relations between the two countries had improved over the past two years. To further strengthen these ties, he stressed the need to introduce direct flights between Dhaka and Lahore.

He said bilateral trade currently stood at around USD 1 billion, adding that Bangladesh was importing rice and maize from Pakistan without any quantity restrictions. However, the existing trade volume remained well below its actual potential, making stronger business links and connectivity necessary.

He noted that Pakistan could also import pineapples and jute from Bangladesh. He added that his country was interested in importing products beyond textiles and would also visit the hosiery market in Jinnah Colony, Faisalabad.

He further expressed interest in importing organic cosmetics, emphasising that this was an opportune time for both countries to take practical steps towards strengthening their brotherly relations.

Welcoming the High Commissioner, FCCI President Arif Ehsan Malik said Bangladesh had always held a special place in the hearts of the people of Pakistan. He informed the delegation that the chamber represented more than 22,000 members.

He said Faisalabad contributed approximately 15 to 18 percent to Pakistan’s GDP, while the city accounted for around 15 percent of the country’s national exports. Although textiles had traditionally been the hallmark of Faisalabad’s industrial identity, he said several other sectors, including automobiles, mobile phones, foundries, tiles, food and confectionery, were now also expanding rapidly.

The FCCI president said an industrial estate spread over 8,400 acres offered considerable scope for establishing modern industrial units.

He also welcomed the growth of Bangladesh’s textile exports, which had reached USD 40 billion.

Highlighting the need to address future industrial and environmental challenges, he stressed that both countries would have to move towards a circular economy. He noted that the Governor of Punjab had declared Faisalabad the country’s first circular city, adding that around 65 percent of Pakistan’s textile waste was recycled in Faisalabad.

He emphasised that achieving zero waste would be essential for Pakistan and Bangladesh to sustain and expand their exports to European Union countries in the future. Both countries, he said, faced similar challenges in meeting evolving international environmental and sustainability requirements.

At the conclusion of the meeting, FCCI President Arif Ehsan Malik presented an honorary shield to the High Commissioner, who also recorded his remarks in the chamber’s visitors’ book.

Bangladesh Counsellor Md Tayyeb Ali, Political Counsellor Ishrat Jahan, Administrative Officer (Accounts) Md Mahfuzul Hasan, and staff members Md Khandoker Khaliquzzaman, Md Alamgir Hossain Bhuiyan and Md Bilal were also present. FCCI Senior Vice President Mian Muhammad Saeed and Vice President Muhammad Yaseen attended the meeting as well.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026