Bangladesh and Pakistan have reinstated their Joint Economic Commission (JEC) after two decades, signaling a warming of relations that had long been strained by historical conflicts.
The two nations convened the 9th Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting in Dhaka, reaching an agreement to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, and regional connectivity.
The session was led jointly by Pakistan’s Federal Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik and Bangladesh’s Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed. During the meeting, both nations signed the JEC’s Agreed Minutes, outlining collaborative efforts across sectors including energy, agriculture, education, healthcare, tourism, IT, and climate change.
A key outcome of the meeting was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Halal Trade Cooperation between the Pakistan Halal Authority and the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institute. This deal will enable both nations to jointly certify and export Halal products to international markets.
“This is a very important meeting. After 20 years, we’ve resumed our economic dialogue with Pakistan, and it has been a very successful one,” Ahmed stated, adding that “Cooperation in agriculture, IT, maritime transport, and other sectors will benefit both nations.”
Additionally, Pakistan proposed utilizing Karachi Port Trust as a regional trade route for Bangladesh’s exports to China and Central Asia. Both countries also agreed to collaborate on restoring direct air links to boost tourism and business exchanges.
Malik described the discussions as a milestone in restoring economic cooperation, highlighting the importance of moving beyond jute and exploring new sectors such as agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and energy.
Pakistan and Bangladesh also agreed to establish Joint Working Groups focusing on trade, maritime affairs, and information technology to maintain ongoing collaboration. The trade group is expected to convene soon to explore strategies for boosting bilateral trade and creating a preferential trade framework.
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