Karachi, 16 March 2023:

Bangladesh Deputy High Commissioner in Karachi, S. M. Mahbubul Alam had at least ten  (10) separate business meetings and interactions during 08-15 March 2023 with more than fifteen (15) eminent industrialists, entrepreneurs, investors, businessmen, bankers who are Chairman, Vice-Chairman, President, Vice President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Managing Director, Managing Partner, Owner & Proprietor and Director of their respective business enterprises or industries in Pakistan.

Few of the dignitaries the Deputy High Commissioner S. M. Mahbubul Alam had separate meetings and interactions are Mr. Asim Ali, CEO, Profound Vision, Mr. Shahid Bokhari, Regional Sales Advisor (South Asia), Petersime Incubators and Hatcheries, Mr. Arshad Islam, CEO, Pioneer Group, Mr. Noman Nadir Khan, Vice President, Soorty Denim, Mr. Syed Imran Ahmed, Head, International Operation, HBL Bank, Mr. Junaid Hamid, CEO, Art Regent and Cost Veyors, Mr. Salim Godil, Managing Director, Daihatsu & Toyota, Ms. Tara Uzra, President, Ladies Fund, Ms. Syeda Kiran, CEO & Founder, The Mbitions, and others.  

Deputy High Commissioner S. M. Mahbubul discussed issues of promotion of trade and business and investment opportunities for mutual interests between Bangladesh and Pakistan. He also briefed on different socio-economic development in Bangladesh. He mentioned that has become a ‘Role Model’ of socio-economic development in the world. He also highlighted on different completed and on-going mega projects in Bangladesh such as Padma Bridge, Metro Rail, Karnaphuli River Tunnel, Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, Deep-Sea Port, Bangabandhu Satellite-1, and other vital projects. He briefed that Bangladesh is currently one of the five fastest growing economies in the world. Bangladesh currently ranks the 35^th largest economy in the world in terms of GDP. While in 1971, Bangladesh had per capita income less than USD100, which is currently USD2824. In 1971, the literacy rate was only less than 18%, which is currently around 80% with almost 100% primary enrollment rate. He mentioned that Bangladesh has achieved 100% electricity coverage and Bangladesh has been working hard to establish 100 Specialized Economic Zones (SEZs) across the country with foreign investment friendly policies. He shared the vision of the present government to turn Bangladesh into a developed country and Smart Bangladesh by 2041 and Bangladesh will be a trillion dollar economy with the 9^th largest market in the world by 2040.  

Deputy High Commissioner elaborated on the potential and opportunities of trade and commerce and investment in Bangladesh. He explained the businessmen the exclusive facilities and incentives Bangladesh offers for foreign investment and international trade. He invited the potential investors, industrialist, entrepreneurs and businesspersons from Pakistan to invest in Bangladesh. He also invited the businessmen to import products including tea, leather and lather products, jute and jute products, pharmaceuticals, ceramics, chemicals, and so forth from Bangladesh. 

During the meeting and interactions, the eminent businesspersons and investors in Pakistan were deeply impressed with the success and positive stories of Bangladesh. They highly appreciated the impressive socio-economic developments in Bangladesh. They also expressed their willingness to invest and to do business with Bangladesh.