DHAKA/ISLAMABAD — Pakistan and Bangladesh have revived their Joint Economic Commission (JEC) after a 20‑year gap, marking a significant step toward rebuilding bilateral economic relations. The ninth session of the JEC was held in Dhaka on Monday, co‑chaired by senior officials from both sides.
The agenda covered a wide range of sectors, including trade, investment, agriculture, transport, communication, education, information technology, and textiles. Both countries emphasized the need to strengthen cooperation between their national shipping corporations, with Pakistan offering Bangladesh the use of Karachi Port Trust as a strategic hub to access China and Central Asian markets.
According to Pakistan’s state media, the two sides also agreed to establish direct air connectivity to boost tourism and business exchanges.
A key outcome of the meeting was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Pakistan Halal Authority and the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institute, paving the way for collaboration in halal product certification and standardization.
The session also highlighted the creation of a Pakistan–Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor, under which 500 fully funded scholarships will be offered to Bangladeshi students for higher education in Pakistan.
To ensure continuity, both countries agreed to set up joint working groups in priority areas such as trade, maritime affairs, and IT, with the inaugural meeting of the trade working group scheduled in the near future.
Officials described the meeting as a milestone in bilateral relations, noting that it was the first JEC session since 2005. The renewed dialogue signals a willingness on both sides to reset ties and explore new avenues of cooperation after years of limited engagement.