The New Nation - Internet Edition

On the eve of the Holy Ramadan, the fifth Pakistan Date Show-2008 began in Dhaka yesterday with a call for increased trade and commerce between Bangladesh and Pakistan to the mutual benefit of both the countries. Adviser for Agriculture and Water Resources Dr C S Karim inaugurated the two-day show at Dhaka Sheraton Hotel and said such exhibition of consumer food items would contribute enormously towards enhancing bilateral trade between the two countries. Pakistan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Alamgir Bashar Khan Babar and other senior officials as well as date growers and exporters from Pakistan and Bangladeshi businessmen were present on the occasion. Later, the Adviser along with the Pakistan High Commissioner visited the date stalls, talked to the date traders and evinced his keen interest to the show. Pakistan, producing more than 6,00,000 tonnes of dates every year, is among four top date growers in the world and has significantly increased its export share of this commodity to Bangladesh over the recent years, high commission officials said. The fifth date show this time displays varieties like Aseel, Muzawati, Karbala, Fasil, Kepro and Begum Jangi. Biscuits and Halua produced from dates are also being exhibited in the show.