Pakistan and Bangladesh are ready to strengthen their bilateral relations in various fields including trade, defense production and signing of Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT). Informed sources have indicated that these proposals will be reviewed in the upcoming meeting of the Pakistan-Bangladesh Joint Economic Commission (JEC).
According to a Business Recorder report, the importance of JEC has increased in the light of recent political changes in Bangladesh. The Ministry of External Affairs (MOFA) is currently working closely with the concerned ministries to finalize the agenda for the next meeting of the JEC.
Main points of the agenda
The following issues will be discussed during the JEC.
Bilateral Trade Overview: Review of existing trade relations and enhancement measures.
Duty Free Access: Bangladesh’s request for duty-free access to 10 product categories, covering a total of 104 products.
Free Trade Agreement: Negotiations on Bilateral FAT
Business diversity: Finding ways to diversify trade between the two countries.
Technical Cooperation in Textiles: Enhancing cooperation in the textile sector.
SME Sector Support: To promote cooperation between small and medium enterprises of the two countries.
Joint Business Council: Reactivating the Joint Business Council to facilitate business relations.
Regular exchange of trade delegations: Establish a forum for trade delegations to enhance direct interaction and provide other resources for discussion.
This upcoming JEC meeting will provide an important opportunity for both countries to strengthen their economic ties and explore new avenues for cooperation.
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According to the sources, the High Commissioner of Pakistan in Dhaka has highlighted the goodwill with the current government of Bangladesh.
According to sources, in view of this favorable environment, the High Commissioner emphasized the need to convene the Joint Economic Commission (JEC) at the earliest. He has held discussions with the adviser and commerce secretary in Bangladesh and stressed the importance of speeding up the process.
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Bangladesh is currently negotiating concrete dates and an agenda for the JEC, which is expected to be held in Dhaka in late December or early January.
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**Interview with Dr. Aisha Malik, South Asian Relations Expert**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Malik. There’s a buzz about Pakistan and Bangladesh looking to strengthen their bilateral relations. Can you tell us what prompted this renewed interest?
**Dr. Malik:** Thank you for having me. The relationship between Pakistan and Bangladesh has always been complex, especially following the secession of East Pakistan to form Bangladesh in 1971. However, recent political changes in Bangladesh have indeed created a conducive environment for both countries to explore new avenues for collaboration, particularly through the upcoming meeting of the Pakistan-Bangladesh Joint Economic Commission (JEC) [[1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangladesh–Pakistan_relations)].
**Editor:** That’s interesting. What specific areas are both nations looking to focus on during this meeting?
**Dr. Malik:** The agenda includes several vital points, such as an overview of bilateral trade relations and measures to enhance them. One of the significant discussions will revolve around Bangladesh’s request for duty-free access to ten product categories, which could significantly boost trade volumes. Additionally, they are looking at areas like defense production and potentially signing a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) [[1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangladesh–Pakistan_relations)].
**Editor:** The JEC seems to play a crucial role. How does its importance change in light of current events?
**Dr. Malik:** Absolutely. The JEC has taken on increased significance due to shifts in the political landscape in Bangladesh. The Ministry of External Affairs in Pakistan is actively coordinating with its relevant departments to ensure they have a comprehensive agenda that addresses these changes. This meeting is seen as an opportunity not just for economic ties but also to foster diplomatic relations [[1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangladesh–Pakistan_relations)].
**Editor:** What impact do you foresee if these proposals are implemented?
**Dr. Malik:** If successful, these initiatives could lead to a significant improvement in trade from the current levels, benefiting both economies. Enhanced economic ties could also foster greater political stability and cooperation in the region. It may help reshape perceptions and facilitate dialog, especially given the historical tensions between the two nations [[1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangladesh–Pakistan_relations)].
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Malik, for your insights on this evolving relationship. It’s certainly a pivotal moment for both nations.
**Dr. Malik:** It was my pleasure. I look forward to seeing how these discussions unfold.
