The New Nation - Internet Edition

Syed Asif Shah, Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Government of Pakistan, held a meeting with the leading members of business community of Bangladesh on the 26th of November at Dhaka. Mr. Shah is leading the Pakistan delegation in the 13th SAARC CEC meeting concluding in Dhaka.

The Bangladesh team was led by Mir Nasir Hossein, President FBCCI, and attended by Hossain Khaled, President Dhaka Chamber, Dr. Anwar-ul Alam Chowdhury (Parvez), President BGMEA, Md. Fazlul Hoque, President, BKMEA, S.M. Shafiuzzaman, President, Bangladesh Aushad Shilpa Samity, Kamran T. Rahman, Chairman, Bangladesh Jute Mills Association, Obaidur Rahman, President, Bangladesh Indenting Agents' Association, Aftab ul Islam, Director, FBCCI, Zahid Hossain Tukun, Vice President, Jessore Chamber, Md. Hasen Ali, President, Rajshahi Chamber, Mrs. Selima Ahmad, President, BWCCI, Mrs. Sabrina Islam, President, Women Entrepreneur Association, and representatives from other leading trade bodies also participated in the meeting.

The meeting was also attended by the High Commissioner of Pakistan Alamgir Babar, and senior officials of Pakistan's, Commerce Ministry, members of the delegation and High Commission's representatives. The commerce secretary briefed the meeting on the economic liberalisation drive of the Pakistan Government and the opening of the domestic market for foreign trade, business and investment. He stressed the two sides explore avenues to further enhance bilateral economic cooperation in keeping with the large potential that exists between the two countries. He also briefed on the outcome of the recently concluded SAARC CEC meeting.

Mir. Nasir Hussain and leading representatives of Bangladesh's business community agreed on the need for steps to increase bilateral trade and commerce. Direct shipping and market access were also discussed, including for pharmaceuticals, women entrepreneur products and finished jute goods. Commerce Secretary, Syed Asif Shah, assured them that Pakistan was ready to work with Bangladesh, including as part of our FTA process.

The meeting provided a useful opportunity to interact and exchange views on a wide range of trade and commerce related issues of mutual interest. Both sides agreed that the private sector had to be the driving force behind enhanced economic cooperation. Several areas for cooperation and joint ventures were identified including textiles, leathers, light engineering and sports goods sectors.