DHAKA: Pakistan has offered Bangladesh the use of Karachi Port to facilitate its trade with regional countries, including China and the Central Asian states.
The offer was made during 9th Pak-Bangladesh Joint Economic Commission meeting held in Dhaka.
The meeting was co-chaired by Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervez Malik and Bangladesh’s Adviser on Finance Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed.
The meeting was a major milestone in strengthening bilateral economic and development cooperation between the two countries.
The Pak-Bangladesh Joint Economic Commission also emphasized increasing bilateral cooperation between their national shipping corporations.
It was agreed to accelerate work on starting direct flights between the two countries.
The meeting emphasized establishing Pak-Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor proposing for 500 fully funded scholarships for Bangladeshi students in Pakistan
The two sides agreed to enhance cooperation in diverse fields including trade, investment, energy, climate change, IT, agriculture, transport, education, health, tourism, information and broadcasting, textile, medical and religious tourism.
Pakistan also agreed to increases the number of training seats under Pakistan Technical Assistance Program from 5 to 25.
Pakistan Halal Authority and Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institute signed Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in halal trade which will pave way for increasing cooperation in quality and certification of halal products.
Speaking on the occasion, Ali Pervez Malik said Pakistan and Bangladesh have a relationship based on mutual respect and friendship.
At the end of the meeting, the two countries signed the agreed minutes of the 9th meeting of Joint Economic Commission.
