Pakistan shows interest in importing Bangladeshi jute at first JEC meeting in two decades
Pakistan has formally expressed interest in importing Bangladesh’s world-renowned jute known as the country’s “golden fibre,” during the ninth Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting held in Dhaka today (27 October).
The meeting, the first since 2005, took place at the NEC Conference Room in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, with Bangladesh’s Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed leading the host delegation and Pakistan’s Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik heading the visiting team.
Speaking after the discussions, Minister Malik said Pakistan is keen to import raw and processed jute from Bangladesh for its packaging, agriculture, and textile industries. He noted that Pakistani businesses are also exploring investments in Bangladesh’s jute diversification sector to enhance sustainable manufacturing.
Bangladesh’s Adviser Salehuddin described the meeting as “a meaningful milestone” in bilateral relations, adding that both countries agreed to deepen cooperation in trade, agriculture, food processing, information technology, and pharmaceuticals.
He also emphasised that Dhaka wants to address the existing trade imbalance — as Pakistan exports significantly more to Bangladesh than it imports — by promoting Bangladeshi products such as leather, ceramics, jute goods, and IT services.
The Pakistani delegation acknowledged that current two-way trade, which stands below $1 billion, is far below potential and called for greater private-sector engagement to unlock opportunities in textiles, logistics, and renewable energy.
Officials from both sides also discussed several pending Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on Halal food certification, shipping, agricultural research, and IT cooperation, which are expected to be signed soon.
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