Food minister meets Pakistan high commissioner at Secretariat, says cooperation will benefit both peoples

Food Minister Afroza Khanam has said the peoples of both countries can benefit from increased mutual cooperation between Bangladesh and Pakistan, exchange of knowledge and experience, and expansion of bilateral trade. She made the remarks on Monday (26 October) when Pakistan's High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Imran Haider, paid a courtesy call on her at her office at the Secretariat.

The food minister expressed hope that Bangladesh could particularly use Pakistan's experience in improving long-term grain storage systems.

During the meeting, various aspects of bilateral cooperation were discussed in detail, including grain imports, long-term food storage, trade expansion, education and direct air connectivity between the two countries.

The food minister said 50,000 metric tonnes of rice arrived in Bangladesh from Pakistan on schedule in the last fiscal year, and its quality was also satisfactory.

She said that although the country currently has adequate grain stocks, maintaining their quality over the long term is a major challenge. In this area, exchange of Pakistan's experience and technical knowledge would help further improve Bangladesh's food storage system.

Pakistan's High Commissioner Imran Haider said the launch of direct air connectivity has made travel easier for the peoples of the two countries. He noted that there is strong demand in Pakistan for Bangladeshi ceramic products, betel leaf and pineapple.

The high commissioner invited Bangladeshi students to study at various universities in Pakistan, including with scholarship facilities, for higher education including in cyber security and information technology.

Expressing optimism, the food minister said contact between businesspeople and relevant institutions of the two countries needs to increase to expand markets for agricultural products. She expressed hope that the friendly relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan would grow stronger in future through increased cooperation in education, technology, food security and trade.

Pakistan's Deputy High Commissioner Mohammad Wasif, Trade and Investment Attache Wakas Yasin, Food Secretary Abu Taher Md Masud Rana and Director General of the Directorate General of Food Md Jasim Uddin Khan were present at the meeting.