Al Mamun Harun Ur Rashid :
A high-level delegation from the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), led by its President Atif Ikram Sheikh, has arrived in Bangladesh to explore opportunities for enhancing bilateral trade and economic cooperation.
The 30-member delegation includes prominent figures from Pakistan’s business community, such as Senior Vice President Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, Vice President Zaki Aijaz, and other industry representatives, according to a source at the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka, as reported by The New Nation.
During their five-day visit, from 11 to 15 January, the delegation will participate in a series of important meetings and events aimed at strengthening ties between the business communities of Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Key engagements include a meeting with the Adviser for Commerce of Bangladesh to discuss trade policies and avenues for mutual growth. Another significant interaction with the President of the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SAARC CCI) will focus on promoting regional cooperation. This discussion will be followed by a dinner hosted by the SAARC CCI President.
A highlight of the visit is the Bangladesh-Pakistan Business Forum, organised by the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI). The forum will serve as a platform for business-to-business interactions, fostering joint ventures and partnerships.
In a landmark development, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will be signed between the FPCCI and FBCCI to establish a Joint Business Council (JBC).
The JBC aims to institutionalise collaboration and address trade barriers between the two nations.
The delegation is also scheduled to meet the Vice Chairman of the Export Promotion Bureau of Bangladesh (EPB) to explore strategies for enhancing export potential.
Additional discussions with the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) and the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) will focus on investment opportunities and strengthening business ties.
Diplomatic engagements will also feature prominently during the visit. A meeting with the High Commission of Pakistan in Bangladesh will aim to enhance bilateral relations and will be followed by a dinner.
The delegation will attend the Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF), offering an opportunity to explore markets and showcase products from both countries.
The visit is expected to deliver significant outcomes, including strengthened economic ties, increased trade and investment, and enhanced regional cooperation. Discussions will focus on improving market access, reducing trade barriers, and fostering joint ventures.
FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh expressed optimism about the visit, highlighting the importance of building long-term partnerships with Bangladeshi businesses to tap into the region’s growing economic potential. This initiative underscores FPCCI’s commitment to advancing trade diplomacy and promoting sustainable economic development in South Asia.
The delegation is also likely to meet the Chief Adviser to the Interim Government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, to discuss strategies for advancing trade diplomacy and fostering sustainable economic growth in the region.
Following the fall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a mass uprising in August, bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan have gained momentum across multiple sectors, opening new chapters in previously dormant diplomatic ties, sources indicated. Both governments are now working to strengthen relations based on mutual cooperation, connectivity, and shared benefits for their populations.
