Bangladesh, Pakistan Vow to Boost Strategic Partnership

Bangladesh, Pakistan Vow to Boost Strategic Partnership

Bangladesh and Pakistan have reaffirmed their strong commitment to elevating bilateral economic, trade, and investment cooperation to a new strategic level.

This commitment was expressed at the 9th meeting of the Bangladesh-Pakistan Joint Economic Commission (JEC), held in Dhaka after a 20-year gap at the NEC Conference Room in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.

The Bangladesh delegation was led by Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, Adviser to the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Science and Technology, while the Pakistan side was headed by Ali Pervaiz Malik, Minister for Petroleum in Pakistan’s Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division).

Discussions covered a wide range of areas including trade, investment, agriculture, energy, research and higher education, banking, tourism, sports, and climate change. Both sides stressed the vast untapped potential for expanding collaboration, particularly in trade and investment.

They also expressed interest in improving connectivity through direct shipping links, expanding air services, and better utilisation of ports and logistics to reduce costs and enhance efficiency in regional trade.

The meeting, held in a cordial and constructive atmosphere, carried historic significance as the first JEC session since 2005. Its resumption reflected both nations’ determination to revitalise and deepen their economic partnership.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in Halal Trade was also signed between the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) and the Pakistan Halal Authority (PHA). Maqsura Noor, Additional Secretary of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Industries, and Imran Haider, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, signed the MoU on behalf of their respective governments.

Both sides reaffirmed their resolve to strengthen bilateral ties further and agreed to hold the 10th JEC meeting in Islamabad at a mutually convenient time.