Mahmud Hasan Khan, President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), called on Pakistan on October 4 in Dhaka to increase imports of Bangladeshi products, particularly jute yarn and pharmaceuticals, to ease the trade imbalance between the two countries and unlock bilateral trade potential.

Key Points

  • BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan made the request on October 4 in Dhaka during a meeting with Pakistan's High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Imran Haidar.
  • Pakistan plans to establish a dedicated bilateral free trade agreement mechanism under the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) framework after Bangladesh graduates from Least Developed Country (LDC) status.
  • Pakistan has promised that if Bangladeshi exporters from the garment and other sectors visit Pakistan as a group, the High Commission will arrange targeted B2B matchmaking with Pakistani importers, brands, and buyers.

The meeting was held at the BGMEA office in Uttara, Dhaka. BGMEA noted that Bangladesh imports large quantities of raw materials for ready-made garments (RMG) from Pakistan, while its exports to Pakistan remain notably low, resulting in an imbalanced bilateral trade structure. To narrow the deficit and strengthen economic cooperation, Hasan Khan proposed two approaches: first, Bangladesh expanding its purchases of chemicals and dyes needed by the garment industry from Pakistan; second, Pakistan opening greater import space for high-quality Bangladeshi jute yarn and pharmaceuticals that meet international standards.

Pakistani High Commissioner Haidar expressed strong interest in the proposals and pledged to take necessary measures to promote two-way trade. He noted that both sides should strengthen exchanges of high-level business delegations to explore market opportunities, and said that if Bangladeshi exporters from the garment and other sectors visit Pakistan as a group, the High Commission would organize dedicated B2B talks and matchmaking sessions for the delegation with major Pakistani importers, brands, buyers, and industry organizations.

The talks also covered market access strategies. Both sides preliminarily discussed developing an effective dedicated bilateral free trade agreement mechanism to protect and maintain existing trade flows under the SAFTA framework after Bangladesh successfully graduates from LDC status.

On improving the efficiency of commercial exchanges, Hasan Khan emphasized logistics modernization, noting that current direct shipping by sea takes too long and that smoother shipping solutions are needed.

In addition, the two sides exchanged views on long-term human resources and institutional development in the textile and fashion fields. Haidar proposed student exchange programs, technology transfer, and joint initiatives between the BGMEA University of Fashion & Technology (BUFT) and leading Pakistani fashion and textile institutions.

Also attending the meeting were BGMEA Senior Vice President Enamul Huq Khan, Vice President Md. Reazowan Selim, Directors Shah Rayeed Chowdhury and Mohammad Sohel, Secretary General Dr. Md. Shahedul Islam (retired Major General), and senior officials from the Pakistani High Commission in Dhaka.

Industry Significance
For the regional used clothing and textile-apparel trade, Bangladesh, as a major global RMG exporter, opening two-way channels with Pakistan for raw material imports and finished goods exports, and exploring a dedicated FTA mechanism under the SAFTA framework, will affect the costs and flows of the South Asian apparel supply chain; if logistics modernization and direct shipping by sea can be improved, it will also have a direct impact on the timeliness and transshipment efficiency of regional textile and apparel trade.

Source: BGMEA chief urges Pakistan to boost imports from Bangladesh to bridge trade gap · Originally published on 2026-10-04