KARACHI, July 13: Bangladesh, which has become self-sufficient in food production and can meet the requirements of its 130 million people, is desirous of establishing complementary trade with Pakistan.
The desire was expressed by Bangladesh's Deputy High Commissioner Mr Abdul Hannan while speaking at a reception hosted in his honour on Monday night in the metropolis by the president Pakistan-Bangladesh Friendship Association, Barrister Shahida Jamil.
Emphasising the need for increased interaction between the trade bodies of the two countries, Mr Hannan pointed out that Bangladesh's total export volume, which was 100 million dollars in 1972 had now exceeded seven billion dollars.
The Bangladeshi deputy high commissioner pointed out that Pakistan was a major buyer of its jute and jute products besides importing tea but emphasised that his country would appreciate complementary trade and trade investment.
Mr Hannan nevertheless said that export of jute had slipped to fourth position making way for leather to climb up. He said that today garment and apparel industry was the mainstay of his country's export. Narrating Bangladesh's success story, Mr Hannan referred to the micro credit plan which played vital role in alleviating poverty and human development.
President of the Pakistan-Bangladesh Friendship Association, and former law minister, Barrister Shahida Jamil emphasised the role of the two countries in combating international terrorism and appreciated the vision of the Bangladeshi prime minister Begum Khalida Zia.
"We are partners in the war against terror in the interest of the prosperity of the prosperity and safety of our respective peoples," said Barrister Shahida Jamil.
