Pakistan’s business community showed renewed friendliness toward Bangladesh as the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry ICC launched a high-level appeal to Bangladeshi entrepreneurs. During a trade visit to Dhaka, ICCI President Nasir Mansoor Qureshi encouraged business leaders to look beyond long-standing ties and invest in Pakistan’s expanding sectors of textiles, agriculture, IT, infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, and more. The message was clear: a new chapter of regional economic cooperation is emerging.
Building on Shared History and Economic Potential
Addressing members of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry directly, Qureshi spoke of Pakistan and Bangladesh’s shared past and cultural affinity. He highlighted how changing political dynamics, easier visa rules, and reopened trade routes now create fresh space for collaboration.
The resumption of visa-free travel for officials and imminent direct air links were welcomed as important milestones that can bring investment and trade to life.
Wide-Ranging Sectors Open for Bangladeshi Investment
ICCI leaders emphasized that Bangladesh’s businesses have opportunities across key areas in Pakistan. The most promising sectors include textiles, food processing, renewable energy, mining, and IT. Qureshi urged business-to-business cooperation, joint ventures, and participation in trade fairs.
Bangladesh’s FBCCI Administrator, Md. Hafizur Rahman, responded with equal enthusiasm. He described many Bangladesh Pakistan trade markets as still untapped especially in education, pharmaceuticals, agricultural technology, and innovation and agreed that regional bodies like SAARC and OIC offer platforms to grow this new cooperation.
Direct Trade and Cargo Routes Come Back After Decades
For the first time since before Bangladesh’s independence, Pakistani business delegations are now docking at Bangladeshi ports, and vice versa. In February 2025, Dhaka received its first direct cargo shipment from Pakistan 50,000 tons of rice. This success builds on growing commercial dialogue and signals a return to direct trade relations after more than five decades.
Separately, Bangladeshi High Commissioner Muhammad Iqbal Hussain Khan told business leaders in Islamabad that direct passenger and cargo flights between Pakistan and Bangladesh will begin soon, boosting connectivity and easing business travel.
Pakistan’s ICCI outreach to Dhaka is more than a trade pitch it marks a real thaw in relations, led by business and civic actors rather than politicians alone. With direct flights resuming, visa barriers falling, and cargo routes reopening, both countries can finally capitalize on common strengths.
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