Dhaka, Sept 18 (V7N) – After remaining inactive for nearly 20 years, the Bangladesh-Pakistan Joint Economic Commission (JEC) is set to resume its activities, with a two-day meeting scheduled for October 26–27 in Dhaka. Bangladesh will be represented by Economic Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, while Pakistan’s delegation will be led by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb. The meeting will focus on expanding bilateral trade, strengthening economic ties, and enhancing communication between the two countries.
 
Officials at the Economic Relations Division (ERD) said the JEC plays a key role in making policy decisions on trade, investment, and economic cooperation. The forum helps identify new avenues for partnership, remove existing trade barriers, and frame strategies for mutual economic benefit.
 
In preparation, ERD has sought proposals from the foreign, industries, commerce, textiles, education, and health ministries, as well as agencies like the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) and the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA). Bangladesh is likely to request that Pakistan increase imports of tea, jute products, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and electronics to help reduce the trade imbalance.
 
The last JEC meeting was held in Dhaka in 2005, when both countries set a target to expand bilateral trade from $200 million to $1 billion by 2007. Bangladesh had sought duty-free access for over 100 products in the Pakistani market, while Pakistan pushed for a free trade agreement (FTA). However, the plans stalled, and no further meetings took place, particularly as political ties between Dhaka and Islamabad cooled during the Awami League government.
 
Following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina administration last year, Pakistan has expressed renewed interest in boosting bilateral trade. Several Pakistani delegations have since visited Dhaka, and on August 21, Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan met Bangladesh’s Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin, urging the revival of the long-dormant JEC.
 
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