By Commerce Reporter
LAHORE: The High Commissioner of Bangladesh Md Iqbal Hussain Khan has said that there was considerable potential to expand trade between Pakistan and Bangladesh. Currently bilateral trade amounted to around US$1 billion, while the actual potential was worth several billion dollars. Stronger cooperation, improved trade connectivity, the removal of trade barriers and closer engagement between the business communities of both countries could help unlock this untapped potential and significantly increase bilateral trade.
The High Commissioner was speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry. LCCI President Ali Hussam Asghar, Senior Vice President Sardar Usman Ghani, Vice President Chaudhry Khadim Hussain, Honorary Consul of Bangladesh Qazi Humayun Fareed, LCCI Executive Committee Members Naila Nadeem, Shahzad Ali Shah and Amir Ata Barry also spoke on the occasion.
The High Commissioner identified agriculture, textiles, pharmaceuticals, engineering, food processing, chemicals, minerals, education, healthcare and tourism as promising areas for bilateral collaboration. He said Pakistani businesses had participated in Made in Pakistan exhibitions in Bangladesh, while Bangladeshi business participation was also expected at an international exhibition in Karachi in November.
He highlighted Bangladesh’s potential to import Pakistani maize, rice and basmati rice, textile raw materials, chemicals, minerals and manufactured goods. Sugar, wheat, cereals and spices. He said that Bangladeshi pineapples had begun reaching Pakistan after clearances, while seasonal fruits, agricultural products and jaggery could further expand bilateral trade.
He also called for easier business visas, improved e-visa procedures and stronger direct air connectivity. Pakistan could serve as a gateway to Central Asia, while Bangladesh offered access to Southeast Asia. He said that more than 100 Bangladeshi students were studying at private universities in Pakistan and identified opportunities in scholarships, medical tourism and tourism, including Bangladesh’s coastal areas and Pakistan’s northern regions.
LCCI President Ali Hussam Asghar proposed establishing a dedicated Bangladesh trade cell under the Senior Vice President to coordinate bilateral business activities. He suggested identifying five priority export sectors, linking LCCI with a leading chamber in Dhaka or Chittagong and initiating two to three virtual B2B meetings, followed by sector-specific meetings, trade delegations and reciprocal business visits. He invited Bangladeshi entrepreneurs to explore partnerships in Lahore and stressed the need for a practical roadmap with measurable results.
Ali Hussam Asghar said that Pakistan and Bangladesh must move beyond discussions and adopt a result-oriented strategy to unlock their full trade potential. He stressed the need to identify exportable products, connect potential buyers and suppliers and establish direct institutional links between business communities. He said LCCI was ready to facilitate business delegations, sector-specific B2B meetings and joint ventures to help Pakistani businesses access the Bangladeshi market and attract investment. He added that strengthening economic ties with Bangladesh aligned with LCCI’s commitment to export-led growth, market diversification and creating new opportunities for the business community.
LCCI Senior Vice President Sardar Usman Ghani called for reversing the downward trend in bilateral trade and raising it to at least US$2 billion. He highlighted opportunities in pharmaceuticals, textiles, textile machinery, rice, cement, agriculture, food processing, IT, engineering, light manufacturing and services. He urged businesses to pursue joint ventures and investment partnerships, while improving shipping, customs procedures, documentation and the exchange of market intelligence. He assured the delegation of LCCI’s support in arranging B2B meetings, exhibitions and business delegations.
Vice President Chaudhry Khadim Hussain presented the vote of thanks and said that joint ventures and efforts can lift the mutual trade and investment to the new height. He called for easier travel and more B2B meetings, particularly in cosmetics, and pointed to Pakistan’s capacity to supply pharmaceutical packaging machinery, industrial equipment and raw materials.
LCCI Executive Committee Member Naila Nadeem identified opportunities in medical sciences, agricultural equipment, packaging and food processing. Referring to her previous mineral-water exports to Bangladesh, she highlighted visa documentation and payment and banking difficulties as barriers.
LCCI Executive Committee Member Shahzad Ali Shah highlighted Pakistan’s pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity, citing more than 1,500 pharmaceutical plants, and identified opportunities in medical tourism, including hair transplantation, cosmetic procedures and dental treatment.
LCCI Executive Committee Member Barry said highlighted opportunities in textiles, engineering and industrial manufacturing, including vehicles, pressure vessels and other industrial equipment.
