High Commission in Bangladesh: Concern voiced over vacant post of Commercial Counsellor

The leadership of South Asian Business Community (Pakistan Chapter) has expressed concern over the vacant position of Commercial Counsellor in High Commission of Pakistan in Bangladesh and has demanded of the immediate appointment.
High Commissioner of Pakistan, Ashraf Qureshi, met Saarc Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Saarc CCI) delegation comprising Vice President, Iftekhar Ali Malik, immediate past president, Tariq Syeed, life member, Zubair F Tufail, and Secretary General Saarc CCI Iqbal Tabish.
He said, "Bangladesh is the third largest trade partner of Pakistan in South Asian region, the bilateral trade of which after witnessing more than 20 percent growth for last thirty years has crossed $500 million in the year 2009-2010". Qureshi suggested the government of Pakistan to evolve a comprehensive policy for trade with Bangladesh by reducing tariffs on import of jute and other products, which are not manufactured in Pakistan.
Pakistan High Commissioner said that the demand of wheat and rice in Bangladesh is growing day-by-day and Pakistan has the capacity to meet demands of these commodities, however, it requires transaction between governments instead of trade with private sector in Pakistan. "TCP may serve as the guaranteeing body to deal with such transactions to avoid inherited tender" he added.
Iftekhar Ali Malik and Syeed briefed the High Commissioner about Saarc Business Leader Conclave, which is scheduled to take place in Dhaka in the first week of May, 2011. They endorsed the proposal of High Commissioner for negotiating early Harvest programme with Bangladesh, which would lead towards signing of FTA between two countries.