Trade in focus: Pakistan minister’s Dhaka visit to seal 4 MoUs
Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on Wednesday (August 20) for a four-day visit. The trip is expected to revive ties between Dhaka and Islamabad and reopen several avenues of trade that have remained closed for the past 15 years. Boosting bilateral trade will be a key focus during the visit.
Jam Kamal will stay in Dhaka from August 21 to 24. During his visit, the two countries are set to sign four memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to expand trade. He will also hold a series of meetings with senior government officials and representatives of Bangladesh’s business community. Additionally, the Pakistani minister will visit Chattogram Port, as well as pharmaceutical and steel industries.
Since 1971, relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan have experienced ups and downs. During the Awami League’s rule from 2009 until August last year, Dhaka-Islamabad ties remained fragile. However, following political changes brought about by the student-led mass uprising in Bangladesh in 2024, Pakistan became more active in improving relations at various levels. Against this backdrop, Jam Kamal’s visit is being considered significant for strengthening trade relations.
Itinerary Highlights
Jam Kamal Khan will arrive in Dhaka on Wednesday (August 20) at 11:30 pm on an Emirates flight. On Thursday, the first day of his visit, he is scheduled to hold meetings with advisers on commerce, industry, and food affairs of the interim government. He will also meet representatives of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI).
On Friday, he will travel to Chattogram to visit the port, hold talks with the Chattogram Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and tour Bangladesh Steel Re-Rolling Mills. On Saturday, he will visit Square Pharmaceuticals’ factory in Tangail.
On Sunday, the final day of his visit, he will hold further meetings with the commerce adviser, commerce secretary, jute and textiles secretary, representatives from the Export Promotion Bureau, Trading Corporation of Bangladesh, Trade and Tariff Commission, National Board of Revenue, Bangladesh Bank, and other institutions. He will also meet leaders of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and hold talks with the foreign affairs adviser.
Four MoUs to Be Signed
According to the Ministry of Commerce, four MoUs will be signed during Jam Kamal’s visit with the commerce, information, and cultural ministries, among others. The MoU with the commerce ministry will specifically focus on facilitating bilateral trade.
Commerce Secretary Mahbubur told Jago News, “Such a visit by the commerce minister is very important. We will discuss enhancing trade cooperation between the two countries. The MoUs will help ease the import and export of priority products for both sides.”
Priority in Import and Export of Goods Between the Two Countries
Officials from the commerce ministry said discussions will likely centre around seven sectors: food and agricultural products, pharmaceuticals, steel, jute and jute goods, garments, leather and leather products, and services. Both countries are expected to explore how they can play complementary roles in these areas, which will also form the basis of the MoUs.
Sources added that Pakistan exports cotton yarn and fabric, which are essential for Bangladesh’s garment industry. In return, Bangladesh is looking to expand its apparel exports to Pakistan. Pakistani businesses are also keen to export rice, wheat, fruits, and dry foods such as dates and nuts to Bangladesh. Meanwhile, Bangladesh could export freshwater fish, shrimp, and processed food products.
Bangladesh also sees major potential in exporting pharmaceuticals to Pakistan at competitive prices. There is strong demand in Pakistan for jute products such as sacks and carpet backing, which could see significant growth with improved trade cooperation. Bangladeshi leather goods, including shoes and bags, also have export potential in Pakistan. Additionally, Bangladesh could explore opportunities in steel exports, as well as software, IT services, and freelancing, where the country has demonstrated strong capabilities.
Current State of Bilateral Trade
According to data from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) and Bangladesh Bank, in the last fiscal year, Bangladesh exported goods worth USD 48 million to Pakistan, while imports from Pakistan totaled over USD 624 million.
Since 2001, Pakistan has invested USD 18.32 crore in Bangladesh—a relatively small amount, mostly in banking, textiles and apparel, trading, construction, pharmaceuticals, and other sectors.