Bangladesh-Pakistan Joint Economic Commission to meet in Dhaka after 20 years

Bangla Press Desk: After a two-decade gap, the ninth meeting of the Bangladesh-Pakistan Joint Economic Commission (JEC) is set to take place in Dhaka on Monday (27 Oct), marking a significant step toward reviving economic cooperation between the two South Asian nations.

Economists believe the meeting could open up new possibilities for bilateral trade and investment.

According to officials, the upcoming session will focus on strengthening fundamental areas of economic collaboration, including trade and investment promotion, agricultural cooperation, and financial services.

The meeting will be held at the NEC Conference Room in the capital’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area.

Initially, Pakistan’s Minister for Economic Affairs, Ahad Khan Cheema, was scheduled to lead the delegation.

However, Islamabad later confirmed that Minister for Petroleum Ali Parvez Malik would head the Pakistani side.

Malik is expected to arrive in Dhaka on Sunday (26 Oct) for a three-day visit.

During the discussions, both countries are likely to explore ways to boost exports, reduce tariffs, and sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalise future cooperation.

Speaking about the upcoming event, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said Bangladesh has economic interests with Pakistan and wishes to expand cooperation based on mutual benefit.

Economist Mahfuz Kabir noted that Bangladesh should prioritise economic interests over political considerations.

“There is a good opportunity for Bangladesh to expand its business in the Pakistani market,” he said, highlighting the existing trade imbalance between the two nations.

International relations analyst Imtiaz Ahmed viewed the JEC meeting as not only an economic engagement but also a potential step toward improving political understanding.

“If both sides show goodwill on economic, political, and unresolved historical issues from 1971, the relationship can enter a new positive phase,” he remarked.

Experts also stressed the need for a roadmap for Bangladesh-Pakistan economic relations.

CPD Fellow Mustafizur Rahman emphasised that Bangladesh should focus on strategies to enhance its exports to Pakistan using innovative and competitive approaches.

The long-awaited meeting is expected to signal a cautious yet hopeful renewal of economic diplomacy between Dhaka and Islamabad. This article was originally published on the Daily Sun.

BP/ZE