Dhaka and Islamabad are set to resume the long-stalled Joint Economic Commission (JEC) dialogue after two decades.
The 9th JEC meeting between Bangladesh and Pakistan will be held in Dhaka on October 27, marking a significant step toward reviving bilateral economic cooperation.
Pakistan’s Minister for Economic Affairs, Ahad Khan Cheema, will lead his country’s delegation to the talks, while Bangladesh’s Economic Affairs Adviser, Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, will head the host delegation.
The two sides are expected to discuss a wide range of issues related to trade, investment, and economic collaboration.
During his visit, Cheema is also scheduled to hold several bilateral meetings and pay courtesy calls on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain.
The last JEC meeting between the two countries took place in Dhaka on September 12, 2005. According to official sources, the upcoming session aims to build on recent diplomatic engagements following last year’s political transition in Bangladesh.
At the same time, Bangladesh’s Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin is expected to visit Islamabad soon to attend a separate meeting on trade cooperation at the invitation of Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan.
Officials said this year’s JEC will focus on enhancing cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, banking, and financial services, as well as addressing the trade imbalance between the two nations. Bangladesh is expected to urge Pakistan to import more tea, jute goods, pharmaceuticals, ready-made garments, and electronics from Bangladesh on a duty- and quota-free basis.
Ahad Khan Cheema’s upcoming visit will be the fourth high-level ministerial visit from Pakistan since Bangladesh’s July political transition. Earlier, Islamabad’s Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar visited Dhaka, signaling a steady thaw in bilateral ties.
