Lahore, July 19 (V7N) – Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has stated that Pakistan and Bangladesh are like two branches of the same tree, rooted in shared history and culture. Expressing a strong interest in building a strategic partnership, she affirmed that the Punjab government is open to collaborating with Bangladesh in industrial development and digital skills enhancement.
 
The remarks were made during a meeting on Friday in Lahore with Bangladesh High Commissioner Iqbal Hossain. According to Sama TV Online, both sides agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade, industry, and agriculture.
 
Maryam Nawaz praised Bangladesh's achievements in the garments sector, microfinance initiatives, and female workforce participation. She highlighted Punjab’s willingness to engage in partnerships that could benefit both regions, citing Bangladesh's development model as an inspiration for inclusive growth.
 
She also noted that Punjab had already exported 50,000 tonnes of high-quality rice to Bangladesh in January 2025 and is prepared to expand exports to include world-class laboratory equipment, surgical instruments, and medical supplies.
 
Welcoming Bangladesh’s efforts to simplify visa approvals, she described it as a gesture that fosters mutual trust. Maryam also voiced her support for the establishment of a Pakistan-Bangladesh Joint Chamber of Commerce in both Lahore and Dhaka, assuring that Bangladeshi investors would be granted necessary facilities and incentives to do business in Punjab.
 
Looking ahead, she expressed Punjab’s eagerness to participate in Bangladesh’s upcoming “First Women” Vision-2030 Summit, emphasizing the importance of empowering women through regional cooperation.
 
During the meeting, the Bangladeshi High Commissioner commended Maryam Nawaz for her welfare initiatives and developmental efforts across Punjab. The meeting marked a positive step toward reshaping bilateral relations between the two South Asian nations through practical cooperation, shared goals, and regional connectivity.
 
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