On 20 July 2022:

Bangladesh Deputy High Commissioner in Karachi, S. M. Mahbubul Alam met the President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FPCCI), Mr. Irfan Iqbal Sheikh. Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President of different giant business enterprises in Pakistan were present during the meeting. Vice-President of the FPCCI Engr. M.A. Jabbar, Secretary General of the FPCCI Brig Iftikhar M.A. Opel, Coordinator of the FPCCI Head Office in Karachi Sheikh Sultan Rehman, Chairman of the Trade Facilitation Committee ECO CCI Mr. Amjad Rafi, CEO of Art Gallery Mehreen Ilahi, Founder & CEO of Mahin Khan & Co Sahibzadi Mahin Khan among others were also present during the meeting.

The Deputy High Commissioner outlined the key businesspersons of the FPCCI the recent success stories of development of Bangladesh. He mentioned that Bangladesh has opened on 25 June 2022 her largest ever bridge of length 6.15 kms over the mighty river Padma. He emphasized on the potential of trade and commerce and investment in Bangladesh. He attached importance to harness the economic potential for promoting trade and investment between the two countries. He outlined that Bangladesh offer exclusive facilities and land in ‘Special Economic Zones’ and invited the potential investors from Pakistan to latch on this opportunity to further enhance economic cooperation for mutual benefits. The Deputy High Commission briefed him on the upcoming D-8 events in Bangladesh and requested for a strong business delegation to participate at the D-8 CCI Silver Jubilee, Business Summit and the Expo to be held on 25-27 July 2022 in Dhaka.

The President of the FPCCI was impressed at the success stories of Bangladesh’s development. He commented that Bangladesh is a role model for developing countries including Pakistan for development The FPCCI President expressed his optimism for more trade and commerce with Bangladesh. He also expressed his hope that both the countries might take further initiative for wider economic relationships. In respond to the briefing of the Deputy High Commissioner, the FPCCI President commented that the potential investors from Pakistan might be interested to invest in Bangladesh’s SEZs. The FPCCI President attached huge importance to exchange prospective business delegation to explore their suitable and potential trade and investment opportunities. He, however, earnestly requested the Deputy High Commission for easing Bangladesh’s visa regime particularly for the businesspersons from Pakistan to visit Bangladesh. Echoing to the general sentiments of the businesspersons in Pakistan, the FPCCI President expressed his desire for wider participation at the Dhaka International Trade Fair in Bangladesh, which takes place every year in Dhaka. The President of the FPCCI expressed their hope that a strong business delegation led by himself would participate at the D-8 business segments to be organized in Dhaka end of this month. Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Karachi assured them that the Mission would extend all possible cooperation to make the visit of the business delegation successful.