Photo : PID

DHAKA, June 29, 2026 (BSS) - Pakistan has expressed strong interest in expanding bilateral trade with Bangladesh by increasing exports of agricultural commodities and enhancing cooperation in the jute sector.

The interest was conveyed by Chairman of the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) Asim Azim Siddiqui during a meeting today with Commerce, Industries and Textiles & Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir at the Ministry of Industries in the city, said a press release.

Siddiqui said Pakistan is keen to export rice, lentils, chickpeas, fertilizer and edible oil to Bangladesh, while also seeking to increase imports of high-quality Bangladeshi jute and jute products to meet growing demand in the Pakistani market.

Welcoming the initiative, Muktadir said stronger trade relations would contribute to the sustainable economic development of both countries. 

He emphasized that closer public-private sector cooperation could open new avenues for investment, trade and industrial collaboration.

He also said the government is carrying out necessary reforms to facilitate trade, promote industrialisation and ensure a more business-friendly environment.

The meeting discussed expanding cooperation in agricultural products, fertilizer, edible oil, lentils, chickpeas, sugar, urea and jute.

A major outcome of the talks was the announcement that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) and the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) has reached its final stage and is expected to be signed in the first week of July. 

The agreement will facilitate government-to-government food trade.

The Pakistani delegation also proposed a mechanism for sourcing essential commodities from international markets at competitive prices whenever direct exports are not feasible, in line with Bangladesh's existing policies and legal framework.

Both sides agreed to reactivate the Bangladesh-Pakistan Joint Working Group, exchange business delegations and strengthen cooperation in the agricultural and industrial sectors.

Pakistan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Haider, Industries Secretary Abdun Naser Khan, Commerce Secretary Md. Ataur Rahman Khan and other senior officials attended the meeting.