The 9th Session of the Pakistan-Bangladesh Joint Economic Commission (JEC) was held in Dhaka on Monday after a 20-year hiatus, marking a significant step in strengthening bilateral economic and development cooperation.
The session was co-chaired by Ali Pervaiz Malik, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Petroleum from Pakistan, and Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, Advisor for Finance from Bangladesh. At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides signed the Agreed Minutes, showcasing significant progress in various sectors including trade, investment, agriculture, transport, education, healthcare, and more.
Key highlights from the meeting include agreements to enhance cooperation in national shipping services, with Pakistan offering Karachi Port Trust as a trade gateway for Bangladesh to regional markets, including China and Central Asia.
The two countries also discussed the importance of establishing direct air connectivity to facilitate tourism and business exchanges.
A notable achievement was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Halal Trade between the Pakistan Halal Authority and the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institute, aimed at improving the standardization and certification of Halal products.
Additionally, Pakistan announced the creation of the Pakistan-Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor, which will offer 500 fully funded scholarships for Bangladeshi students. The number of training slots under the Pakistan Technical Assistance Program was also increased from 5 to 25.
The two countries agreed to establish Joint Working Groups in key sectors such as maritime affairs and information technology, which will meet regularly to ensure continuous progress. The session also emphasized cooperation in medical and religious tourism, as well as fostering greater cultural exchanges.
In closing, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to sustainable growth through strengthened trade, agriculture, and industrial collaboration. Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik thanked the government of Bangladesh for its hospitality and for facilitating the fruitful discussions during the session.