Bangladesh’s Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed has termed the revival of the Bangladesh–Pakistan Joint Economic Commission (JEC) a “remarkable breakthrough” in bilateral relations, describing it as the beginning of a pragmatic partnership driven by shared economic interests rather than political sentiment.
“It’s not just about two countries; it’s about regional cooperation,” Dr Salehuddin told reporters after the meeting. “If South Asian nations can engage in such practical economic collaboration, everyone benefits.”
The ninth JEC meeting — the first in 20 years — was held at the NEC Conference Room in the Planning Commission, with a 15-member Bangladeshi delegation led by Dr Ahmed and a 14-member Pakistani team headed by Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Petroleum, Ali Parvez Malik.
Dr Salehuddin said the session was “highly productive and long-awaited,” noting that the previous JEC meeting took place in 2005.
During the discussions, Pakistan expressed interest in importing Bangladeshi jute, known as the country’s “golden fibre.” “Pakistan sees strong potential in sectors like jute, agriculture, and food processing, where both countries can complement each other,” Malik told reporters.
The meeting covered key areas including agriculture, food security, trade, energy, and information technology. Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation through a series of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs).
“Every area we discussed—from agriculture to IT—is directly linked to the well-being of ordinary people in both countries,” Dr Ahmed said, stressing the need for stronger institutional coordination to turn commitments into results.
He also called for strengthening the JEC Secretariat, saying coordination mechanisms remain “relatively weak” and need improvement for effective follow-up.
The Pakistani delegation noted that current bilateral trade remains under $1 billion, indicating vast untapped potential.
Minister Malik, who arrived in Dhaka on Sunday for a three-day visit, co-chaired the meeting and is expected to hold several courtesy calls with senior Bangladeshi officials.
Officials from both sides said the resumption of the JEC signals a renewed commitment to constructive economic engagement, with trade, investment, and connectivity at the heart of a possible reset in Dhaka–Islamabad relations.
