Mahmud Hasan Khan, President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), proposed during a meeting with Pakistani High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Haider at the BGMEA office in Dhaka that Pakistan should expand imports of Bangladeshi jute yarn and pharmaceutical products to narrow the trade deficit between the two countries and strengthen bilateral economic ties.

Key Points

  • The BGMEA president called on Pakistan to increase imports of Bangladeshi jute yarn and pharmaceuticals to ease the trade imbalance
  • Bangladesh also hopes to increase imports from Pakistan of chemicals and dyes needed by the apparel industry
  • The two sides discussed exploring bilateral preferential trade arrangements before Bangladesh graduates from its Least Developed Country (LDC) status

According to a press release, the two sides also focused on the trade imbalance during the meeting. Bangladesh currently imports a large volume of products from Pakistan, including raw materials needed by the apparel industry, while Bangladesh's exports to Pakistan remain relatively small. Hasan Khan stressed the need to explore new export opportunities and strengthen business linkages between enterprises of the two countries to improve the situation.

The Pakistani High Commissioner expressed interest in the proposals and promised to take necessary measures to promote bilateral trade.

The two sides also discussed exchanging high-level business delegations to find new business opportunities and establish direct commercial contacts. Haider said that if a Bangladeshi delegation comprising exporters from the apparel and other industries visits Pakistan, the Pakistani High Commission would help arrange business-to-business (B2B) matchmaking sessions and pairing meetings with major Pakistani importers, brands, buyers, and business associations.

The meeting also covered expanding market access and exploring possible bilateral preferential trade arrangements to sustain trade flows after Bangladesh graduates from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category. Hasan Khan also raised the need to modernize logistics and shorten sea freight transit times between the two countries to facilitate bilateral trade.

Cooperation in textile technology, fashion education, and skills development was also among the topics discussed. The Pakistani High Commissioner proposed student exchange programs and technical knowledge sharing between the BGMEA University of Fashion & Technology (BUFT) and leading textile and fashion institutions in Pakistan.

Bangladeshi attendees included BGMEA Senior Vice President Enamul Haque Khan, Vice President Md. Rezwan Selim, Directors Shah Rayeed Chowdhury and Mohammad Sohel, as well as BGMEA Secretary General Dr. Md. Shahedul Islam (retired Major General) and senior officials from the Pakistani High Commission in Dhaka. Both sides expressed optimism that closer trade, business matchmaking, and institutional cooperation would help deepen economic relations between the two countries.

Source: BGMEA calls for expanded two-way trade with Pakistan · Originally published on 2026-10-05