Pakistani businesses want direct flights, smoother visa process to increase trade with Bangladesh
FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh said Pakistani businessmen want to increase trade with Bangladesh. “But due to the visa complications and lack of a direct flight, they haven’t been able to expand their trade with Bangladesh"
Visiting top Pakistani business leaders have called for direct flights to Bangladesh to increase bilateral trade.
They also want an end to visa issuance complications in this regard.
The visiting delegation of foreign businessmen, members of Pakistan's apex trade body Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), made the demands at a meeting with the Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin at the ministry's conference room, reads a press statement issued today (12 January).
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Speaking at the meeting, FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh said Pakistani businessmen want to increase trade with Bangladesh.
"But due to the visa complications and lack of a direct flight, they haven't been able to expand their trade with Bangladesh," he noted.
The FPCCI president called on Adviser Bashir to bring an end to the said issues.
In response to the remarks of the Pakistani businessmen, Adviser Bashir said the government has taken steps to improve the bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Pakistan.
"The volume of bilateral trade is very low considering the population of the two countries. Both countries have opportunities to increase trade," he said.
The adviser also called on Pakistani businessmen to hold more dialogue with Bangladeshi businessmen. "Opening up potential cooperation between them will help both countries."
Apart from direct flights and easing the visa process, the meeting also discussed future trade potential between the countries.
The visiting Pakistani businessmen have expressed interest in investing in the Bangladeshi ceramic industry, tourism, education, and the production and marketing of agricultural goods.
They also stated that Bangladeshi businessmen will be able to invest in Pakistan under the Export Facilitation Scheme launched by their government.
They also expressed interest in organising a trade fair in Bangladesh.
Earlier in the day, the Pakistani delegation held a meeting with officials of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida) and the Bangladesh Export Processing Zone Authority (Bepza).
A 24-member delegation from the FPCCI (Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industries), the apex body of Pakistani businessmen, arrived in Dhaka on 10 January for a six-day visit till 15 January. The delegation is visiting Bangladesh at the invitation of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI).
FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh and Senior Vice President Saquib Fayyaz Magoon is leading the delegation consisting of leading industrialists and businessmen from various sectors of Pakistan.
Earlier this month, a six-member delegation led by Trading Corporation of Pakistan Chairman Syed Rafeo Bashir Shah visited Dhaka and held meetings with various organisations.
