February 7, 2003	Friday	Zul Hijjah 5,1423

KARACHI, Feb 6: Bangladesh has shown keen interest in importing defence equipments, agricultural machinery, sugar and fertilizer plants as well as a number of consumers goods from Pakistan, Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) sources said on Thursday.

The interest was shown during a recent visit of Pakistani trade delegation to Bangladesh which was led by vice chairman Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) Ejaz Ahmed Qureshi.

As the visit coincided with the Dhaka International Trade Fair held from Feb 2 to 5, 2003, a large number of orders were also booked by Pakistani exporters.

A contract for export of 300 tractors during the current year, with an understanding to export 45 tractors and other implements during the next two months was signed during match making meetings held between the two sides.

The EPB sources said that is a major breakthrough for Pakistani exporters in Bangladesh market which is being attributed to the goodwill generated by the President Pervez Musharraf visit to Bangladesh in July last year.

Furthermore the Bangladeshi industrialists in chemicals and pharmaceutical industries expressed keen interest in import of manufacturing plants from Pakistan. For giving final shape a representative delegation will visit Pakistan in the coming weeks to pursue the negotiations, the EPB sources said.

During individual and match making meetings of Pakistani delegation with Bangladeshi importers an order for 450 bicycles was also placed with an understanding of more order to follow. A contract for supply of surgical instruments worth $18,000 was signed.

The Bangladeshi importers also show keen interest for import of kinoo, dry fruits, spices, basmati rice, textile machinery components and medical instruments.

The Pakistani delegation members met the Bangladeshi minister for commerce Amir Khosru Mohmud Chowdhury, secretary commerce Bangladeshi and vice chairman Export Promotion Bureau, Bangladesh.

During the meetings the Bangladeshi officials and businessmen appreciated the market access offered by Pakistan for jute and tea exports from Bangladesh. The two sides also discussed means to enhance economic and commercial relations between the two countries.

The trade bodies of Bangladesh express strong interest in investment by the Pakistani businessmen in joint ventures.