President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called for stronger cooperation with Pakistan in trade, investment, air connectivity, education, training and other areas of mutual interest.

He made the call when Pakistan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Haider paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban on Sunday (September 13).

During the meeting, the high commissioner reiterated an invitation from Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari for President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir to visit Pakistan. The president thanked him for the invitation and invited his Pakistani counterpart to visit Bangladesh at a convenient time.

The president said Pakistan is an important partner of Bangladesh in various fields. Expanding trade and economic activities between the two countries would benefit the people of both countries, he said, stressing the need to strengthen contacts between businessmen and entrepreneurs and explore new commercial opportunities.

Noting the popularity of Pakistani readymade garments, particularly women’s clothing, in Bangladesh, the president called for greater opportunities to import Pakistani garments, cotton yarn and other products while increasing exports from Bangladesh to bring greater balance to bilateral trade.

The high commissioner said a trade fair featuring Pakistani products would be held in Dhaka in October. He also proposed holding a similar fair in Pakistan featuring Bangladeshi products. He expressed interest among Pakistani entrepreneurs in joint ventures to manufacture footballs and other sports equipment.

Referring to the resumption of direct air connectivity between Dhaka and Karachi this year, the high commissioner said the service was contributing positively to bilateral trade, medical tourism and people-to-people contacts. He stressed the need to increase the number of flights.

President Mirza Fakhrul said there was significant potential for increasing exports of Bangladeshi ceramics, betel leaves and other agricultural products, medicines and other quality goods to Pakistan. He stressed closer coordination between the relevant authorities and business communities of the two countries to tap these opportunities.

High Commissioner Imran Haider said Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with Bangladesh and is working to further strengthen bilateral trade, investment and mutual cooperation.

The president assured the high commissioner of full cooperation in discharging his diplomatic responsibilities and expressed hope that ties between the two countries would become more fruitful and multidimensional through greater cooperation in trade, education, culture, training and people-to-people contacts.