Bangladeshi envoy stresses on furthering ties

Says KCCI needs to take up trade issues with government

KARACHI: Bangladesh High Commissioner Suhrab Hossain has said that Karachi and Chittagong should have a direct shipping line to reduce time and cost of transportation.

He said this while talking to the office bearers of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI). KCCI needs to take up this issue with the government so that the suggestion of having direct shipping line could be considered, he advised, according to a KCCI press release.

Hossain said both countries should take advantage of their close proximity and consider furthering economic relations. Hossain said this during his farewell visit to KCCI as his six-year long term as High Commission in Pakistan is coming to an end.

“Total trade between the two countries is $743 million, which is heavily tilted in favour of Pakistan,” said Hossain. During fiscal year 2014-15, Pakistan exported goods worth $689 million to Bangladesh while its imports were recorded at $54 million.

Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh Noor-e-Helal Saif ur Rehman and KCCI Senior Vice President Zia Ahmed Khan were also present in the meeting.

Referring to the growth and progress witnessed by Bangladesh, he said that the country had faced severe foreign exchange shortages when it came into existence and even a food crisis in 1974.

Today, Bangladesh holds strong foreign reserves of $28 billion and it is self-sufficient in food and agriculture that is being exported to numerous countries, he said, adding that Bangladesh was also the second largest exporter of garments after China.

He pointed out that many Pakistani businessmen were successfully doing business in Bangladesh and invited the business and industrial community to invest more in Bangladesh which will be fully protected under government’s foreign investment policy.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 3^rd, 2016.

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