PAKISTAN AND BANGLADESH ENHANCE BILATERAL COOPERATION

Islamabad: 22^nd March, 2012

 PAKISTAN AND BANGLADESH MUST ENHANCE THEIR BILATERAL   COOPERATION FOR PROGRESS AND PROSPERITY OF THE TWO NATIONS:BOKHARI

Chairman Senate Syed Nayyar Hussain Bokhari has said that Pakistan greatly values its relation with Bangladesh as we are brotherly nations having same roots and shared historical, religious and cultural affinities. He was expressing these views while talking to High Commissioner of Bangladesh Mr. Suhrab Hossain at Parliament House today.

Bokhari said that bonds of friendship between the two brotherly countries should be strengthened via increasing our access to each other at both government as well as the Parliament level. There is dire need to enhance people to people contacts and exchange of delegations of Parliamentarians, businessmen, intellectuals etc. to generate such momentum which can lead to enhanced cooperation and collaboration in various fields.

Talking about further strengthening Pakistan-Bangladesh ties, Bangladeshi High Commissioner emphasized the need to activate Pakistan-Bangladesh Parliamentary friendship groups in both countries for more frequent exchanges in order to learn from each other’s experience.

Chairman Senate also reciprocated the similar sentiments and said, “Pakistan-Bangladesh must strive hard to enhance their cooperation at every level. There exists tremendous potential for enhancing trade volume between two countries and increasing connectivity by air and sea routes is hence essential”.  Bokhari said that regular exchange of delegations of Chambers of Commerce of respective countries can lead to working out trade enhancing strategies. Currency swap arrangements as well as reducing of tariff barriers can be looked into for easing trade between the two countries. 

High Commissioner told the Chairman that economy of Bangladeshi is growing satisfactorily at 6% and Bangladeshi products are gaining market access abroad. He said Pakistani cotton, yarn etc. and finished products also have market in Bangladesh and hence mutual demand exists which needs to be exploited to enhance trade volume. However, it is high time to increase connectivity by initiating and expansion of travel services through sea and air routs. Direct shipping service between Karachi and

Chitagong as well as more flights to Bangladesh can lead to more frequent people to people contacts and generate business activity.

Chairman Bokhari said that Bangladesh is important country of the SAARC region and we have understanding on many issues, now is the time we must move forward to further deepen our engagements for mutual benefit, progress and prosperity of people of two brotherly nations.

Mr. Suhrab, the Bangali High Commissioner also highlighted the importance of exchange of cultural delegations to enhance cultural appreciation and linkages of the two sides. He also expressed his delight that Cricket can be a connecting link between people particularly youths of the two countries.  He invited Chairman Senate as well as other Parliamentarians to visit Bangladesh. Earlier, he congratulated Nayyar Bokhari for his unopposed election as Chairman Senate.

Chairman Senate thanked the Bangladesh High Commissioner for his invitation.