The Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh at Karachi SM Mahbubul Alam, stated during his visit to Larkana and other cities that Pakistan and Bangladesh share extremely strong and sustainable trade and tourism relations, which need to be further strengthened by encouraging businessmen from both countries to visit and invest in each other’s nations.
He expressed these views during an informal conversation with the media while visiting the Larkana Press Club on Saturday.
He said that the purpose of his visit to Larkana was to meet with local businessmen and officials to strengthen bilateral relations and promote trade and tourism.
He highlighted that Larkana produces significant quantities of rice and olives, which Bangladesh needs to import, while Bangladesh can export leather and garments to Pakistan.
He mentioned that the investment target between Pakistan and Bangladesh this year is expected to reach one billion dollars. This year, 200 different companies, entrepreneurs, traders, importers, and exporters from Bangladesh participated in the exhibition held at the Karachi Expo Center.
He stated that Bangladesh’s current GDP is $467.22 billion, with the garment industry generating $60 billion in annual revenue. Bangladesh’s handicraft business extends to the Middle East, and since Bangladesh lacks marble, it is keen to import marble and stone from Pakistan, which they wish to expand further.
He emphasized that the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and the Trade Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) provide platforms to boost business and investment between Pakistan and Bangladesh. Businessmen, importers, and exporters from both countries should utilize these forums to visit each other’s nations and invest, thereby enhancing economic cooperation.
He noted that large-scale projects have been initiated to empower women by providing them with home-based work opportunities. Upon completion, payments are directly transferred to their bank accounts, demonstrating that Bangladeshi women are not only empowered but also self-sufficient. He also expressed a desire to revive the historical ties between Bangladesh and Pakistan’s film industry.
He mentioned that Bangladesh has an 80% literacy rate, with many students pursuing education in Pakistan, including in medical fields, which is a matter of pride. Additionally, the Brac and Asam programs have significantly expanded within Pakistan, enabling thousands of children to receive quality education, funded by the Bangladeshi government.
Under the student cultural exchange program, 30 Pakistani students reserved fully-funded medical scholarships annually, while hundreds of Pakistani students are granted scholarships at 120 public and private universities in Bangladesh.
He stressed the need for collaborative research between universities in both countries to further advance in the field of research.