Daily Times

KARACHI: The trade people of Pakistan and Bangladesh can become more cost effective on their transportation of goods if there would be a direct liner service between the two countries.

The big problem of both the countries was lacking of direct shipping link, to this effect, concerned authorities of both the countries can take up this issue with their respective governments for formulating a policy.

There exists a great momentum of building and promoting trade relation between the Pakistan and Bangladesh, exporters and importers were of the view.

Ghulam Rabbani of Pakistan Yarn Merchants Association, Agha Saiddain of Pakistan Tanners Association, Sanaullah Khan of All Pakistan Marble Mining Processing Industry and Exporters Association and members of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on this subject matter opined that the present trade volume of Bangladesh and Pakistan stands around $635 million, which includes $180 million of Bangladesh export of jute and tea and $450 million of export from Pakistan to Bangladesh in textile/fabrics and other material.

High Commissioner of Bangladesh is also willing on the matter and hopes that trade people of both the countries would press their respective governments for building direct sea linkage service. It will be cost effective and time saving.

Business and exporter communities of both countries are engaged in a sizeable trade and also willing to establish joint ventures.

Garments orders from European Union nations and United States are moving from China to Bangladesh so a robust growth of textile exports from Pakistan to Bangladesh opens more avenues for both the countries.

The people of both countries should come together to reach at a real consensus through journalists, students and universities.

They said instead of simply lamenting the absence of regular direct liner shipping service between Pakistan and Bangladesh business people of both countries should prepare a proper concept paper highlighting the need, viability and methodology for establishing such a service.

They were of the view that South Asia could only progress if the free interaction between business community in particular and common people in general continues.

“If the two nations support each other, have joint ventures, enhance economic cooperation and boost-up bilateral trade, the relationship between the two countries will be better, they added.