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: Reactivation of 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.
Bangladesh proposes nuclear arms deal with Pakistan
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.
The first official statement of the government of Pakistan on the situation in Bangladesh came out
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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What role does the recent political landscape in Bangladesh play in shaping the economic dialogues between Pakistan and Bangladesh?
**Interview with Dr. Amina Noor, South Asia Affairs Expert**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Noor. Exciting developments are underway between Pakistan and Bangladesh regarding their diplomatic and economic relations. Can you give us a brief overview of what’s happening?
**Dr. Noor:** Absolutely, it’s a significant time for Pakistan and Bangladesh. They are taking steps to strengthen their bilateral relations in key areas including trade, defense production, and potentially signing a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT). This discussion is centered around the upcoming meeting of the Pakistan-Bangladesh Joint Economic Commission (JEC), which is critical given the recent political shifts in Bangladesh [[1](https://www.radio.gov.pk/25-10-2024/pakistan-bangladesh-agree-to-enhance-cooperation)].
**Interviewer:** What specific issues will be on the agenda for this JEC meeting that you mentioned?
**Dr. Noor:** The agenda is quite comprehensive. Firstly, there will be an overview of bilateral trade, where both nations will assess current trade relations and explore avenues for enhancement. A significant discussion point will also revolve around Bangladesh’s request for duty-free access to ten product categories, which encompasses 104 products in total. This is important as it could open up new markets for Bangladeshi goods in Pakistan [[1](https://www.radio.gov.pk/25-10-2024/pakistan-bangladesh-agree-to-enhance-cooperation)].
**Interviewer:** That sounds promising. How do recent political changes in Bangladesh factor into this dialog?
**Dr. Noor:** The political landscape in Bangladesh has shifted recently, which has heightened the importance of the JEC. Both countries perceive that a collaborative approach could stabilize their economic relations and foster mutual growth. It seems that the Ministry of External Affairs in Pakistan is keenly coordinating with various ministries to ensure a robust agenda is set for this meeting, reflecting the urgency and importance of these discussions [[1](https://www.radio.gov.pk/25-10-2024/pakistan-bangladesh-agree-to-enhance-cooperation)].
**Interviewer:** In your view, what could be the long-term ramifications of successful agreements from this JEC meeting?
**Dr. Noor:** If successful, these agreements could significantly enhance trade and economic cooperation, which would not only benefit both countries but could also strengthen regional stability in South Asia. A Bilateral Investment Treaty, in particular, could encourage investment flows and boost economic development. Moreover, it may set a precedent for other regional collaborations, reinforcing the importance of dialog and partnership in overcoming shared challenges [[1](https://www.radio.gov.pk/25-10-2024/pakistan-bangladesh-agree-to-enhance-cooperation)].
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Noor, for sharing your insights on this crucial matter. We look forward to seeing how these discussions unfold.
**Dr. Noor:** Thank you for having me. It’s an exciting time, and I’m optimistic about the outcomes.