ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is seeking to strengthen its commerce relations with Bangladesh in pharmaceuticals, automotive and mineral sectors, the Pakistani commerce ministry said on Tuesday, amid a thaw in bilateral ties between the two countries.
The development came after the Pakistan prime minister’s coordinator on commerce, Ihsaan Afzal Khan, attended a networking session between the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) and the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) in the Bangladeshi capital.
It follows a high-profile visit by Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar to Dhaka last month to reset Pakistan-Bangladesh relations, which were scarred by the bloody 1971 conflict but have been reshaped by shifting regional power balances in recent months.
During his meeting with DCCI President Taskeen Ahmed and others, Khan highlighted the uptick in commercial activity between Pakistan and Bangladesh, noting that business communities on both sides were increasingly exploring opportunities in pharmaceuticals, automotive and mineral sectors.
“Khan reaffirmed his commitment to creating a comprehensive and conducive environment for businesses from both countries,” the Pakistani commerce ministry said. “He stressed that enhanced cooperation between private sectors would unlock new avenues for bilateral trade and investment.”
