Bangladesh envoy says ties with Pakistan have positive momentum

DHAKA: Bangladesh High Commissioner Md Iqbal Hussain Khan has said relations between Dhaka and Islamabad are experiencing “positive momentum”, describing the current phase as a “golden opportunity” to expand bilateral cooperation, according to a statement issued on Monday.

Speaking during a visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), the high commissioner said that while logistical challenges remain—particularly in air and maritime connectivity—these could be resolved through mutual understanding. “At present, I do not see any major barriers that cannot be overcome,” he said.

Chairman of the Businessmen Group (BMG) Zubair Motiwala said bilateral trade between the two countries remains below $1 billion, which he termed significantly lower than its potential.

He suggested that Pakistan could support Bangladesh’s garment sector through technology transfer, process optimisation and value addition, arguing that such cooperation could create mutual economic benefit.

Motiwala also called for practical steps to improve trade facilitation, including simplified visa procedures and the establishment of dedicated help desks at chambers of commerce in Karachi and Dhaka.

He stressed the need for direct air links between the two cities, saying even a limited number of weekly flights would improve trade and business mobility. He also welcomed the start of direct maritime shipments to Bangladesh, calling it a major step forward in easing logistics.

Separately, he emphasised strengthening banking channels to support smoother financial transactions between the two countries.