A new platform to strengthen trade ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh, the Pakistan-Bangladesh Business Forum, was inaugurated at a ceremony held at the InterContinental Hotel in Dhaka on April 28, 2025. The forum is set to enhance bilateral business relations by fostering greater cooperation between the business communities and trade organizations of both nations.

Trade Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin, who was the chief guest at the event, emphasized the importance of this new initiative in creating opportunities for expanding trade and investment between the two countries. He explained that the forum would act as a vital bridge for connecting business institutions and trade organizations in Pakistan and Bangladesh. He further noted that the platform would provide a space for businesses to explore new avenues for growth and partnership.

In his speech, Sheikh Bashiruddin highlighted the need for increased interaction between the people of both countries to facilitate smoother business exchanges. He stressed that while Pakistan and Bangladesh are both highly populous countries, their bilateral trade volumes do not match their potential. To address this, he called for more active involvement from businesses in both nations to enhance trade relations.

The Trade Adviser also emphasized the importance of dialogue between both countries to resolve any existing barriers to trade, including tariff and non-tariff barriers. He pointed out that through open discussions, the two nations could find mutually beneficial solutions to the challenges they face in international trade.

One of the key moments at the inauguration ceremony was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Pakistan Ready-Made Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA). The MoU aims to foster cooperation between the two organizations in the garment sector, which is one of the major contributors to the economies of both countries.

The agreement was signed by the Vice Chairman of BGMEA, Mohammad Anwar Hossain, and the Vice Chairman of PRGMEA, Amir Riaz Chottani. The MoU is expected to open doors for collaboration in the areas of garment manufacturing, exports, and industry innovation.

The inauguration event also featured speeches from other dignitaries, including the Pakistani High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Syed Ahmed Maroof, the Administrator of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), Mohammad Hafizur Rahman, and the President of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), Mohammad Hatem. Their presence underscored the significance of the forum in promoting closer business relations between the two countries.

The Pakistan-Bangladesh Business Forum is expected to play a critical role in identifying and seizing new business opportunities and improving trade relations. By creating a dedicated space for dialogue and collaboration, the forum will work toward addressing existing trade challenges and enhancing the overall economic relationship between Pakistan and Bangladesh.

The signing of the MoU between the BGMEA and PRGMEA marks the beginning of deeper collaboration between the garment sectors of both nations. This partnership is seen as a significant step in enhancing bilateral trade, particularly in the textile and garment industry, where both countries have strong manufacturing capabilities.

Both Bangladesh and Pakistan have a shared interest in expanding their economic ties, and the establishment of the Pakistan-Bangladesh Business Forum is seen as a positive step toward achieving this goal. The forum is expected to pave the way for future initiatives that will further strengthen the trade relationship between the two countries and increase their economic cooperation on the global stage.