Bangladesh eases visa process for Pakistanis
Bangladesh has eased its visa process for Pakistani nationals to foster closer trade and economic relations between the two nations.
Speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) on Saturday, Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to Pakistan, Iqbal Hussain, announced that the Bangladeshi government has eliminated the requirement for clearance from Dhaka for issuing visas to Pakistani heads of missions. This move aims to streamline the process and enhance bilateral engagement.
Highlighting the importance of boosting trade and investment, Mr. Hussain emphasized that increasing economic cooperation must be a shared priority. He urged collaboration with the LCCI to unlock the potential for stronger business ties.
The High Commissioner acknowledged that relations between the two countries have been less than satisfactory over the past decade. However, he expressed optimism, noting that Bangladesh, with a population of 180 million, offers a substantial consumer market that Pakistan could tap into. He pointed out that the trade potential between the two countries remains underutilized and encouraged Pakistan to take advantage of this opportunity.
Mr. Hussain also praised the efforts of Dr. Mohammad Yunus, Chief Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, for promoting regional cooperation. He underscored the need for greater collaboration among South Asian nations and called for revitalizing the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) to enhance regional trade and partnerships. Despite global progress in regional cooperation, South Asia continues to face challenges that demand collective action.
LCCI President Mian Abuzar Shad provided insights into current trade figures, revealing that bilateral trade between Pakistan and Bangladesh stood at $718 million during the fiscal year 2023-24.
“Pakistan’s exports to Bangladesh amounted to $661 million, while imports from Bangladesh were valued at $57 million. In the first five months of the 2024 fiscal year (July-November), Pakistan’s exports to Bangladesh increased to $314 million, while imports from Bangladesh remained at $31 million,” Shad shared.
The LCCI president expressed a strong commitment to raising bilateral trade volumes to at least $2 billion in the near future, emphasizing the untapped potential of this economic partnership.
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