Pakistan and Bangladesh want to increase trade volume of cotton, yarn and finished products besides expanding travel services through sea and air routes by starting direct shipping service between Karachi and Chittagong. Chairman Senate Nayyar Hussain Bokhari and High Commissioner of Bangladesh Suhrab Hossain expressed these views in a meeting held at Parliament House on Thursday.
Bokhari said, "there exists tremendous potential for enhancing trade volume between the two countries hence increasing connectivity by air and sea routes is essential." He said that regular exchange of delegations of Chambers of Commerce of respective countries could lead to enhanced trade strategies. Currency swap arrangements as well as reducing of tariff barriers can be looked into for easing trade between the two countries, he said.
High Commissioner of Bangladesh Suhrab Hossain told Chairman Senate that the economy of Bangladeshi was growing satisfactorily at six percent and Bangladeshi products were gaining market access abroad. He said Pakistani cotton, yarn etc and finished products had market in Bangladesh and hence mutual demand existed, which needed to be exploited to enhance trade volume.
"It is high time to increase connectivity by initiating and expanding travel services through sea and air routes. Direct shipping service between Karachi and Chittagong as well as more flights to Bangladesh can lead to more frequent people to people contacts and generate business activities," he added. Chairman Senate reciprocated with the similar sentiments and said, "Pakistan-Bangladesh must strive hard to enhance their co-operation at every level.
Bokhari said that Bangladesh was an important country of the SAARC region. "Pakistan and Bangladesh have understanding on many issues, now it is time we must move forward to further deepen our engagements for mutual benefits, progress and prosperity of people of the two brotherly nations," he added.
Chairman Senate said that there was dire need to enhance people to people contacts and exchange of delegations of Parliamentarians, businessmen, intellectuals etc to generate such momentum which can lead to enhanced co-operation and collaboration in various fields.
The Bangladesh High Commissioner also highlighted the importance of exchange of cultural delegations to enhance cultural linkages. He also expressed his delight that cricket can be a connecting link between people particularly youths of the two countries. He invited Chairman Senate as well as other Parliamentarians to visit Bangladesh. Earlier, he congratulated Nayyar Bokhari for his unopposed election as Chairman Senate.