RAWALPINDI - High Commissioner of Bangladesh Ruhul Alam Siddique visited the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) here on Tuesday.

President Mohamamd Nasir Mirza, Senior Vice President Osman Ashraf, Vice President Shahraiz A Malik, former presidents, members of the executive committee and chamber members were also present on the occasion.

Talking to the president of the Chamber Nasir Mirza, Ruhul Alam Siddique said that Bangladesh attaches great importance to its relations with Pakistan and there are deep historic relations between the two countries.

The high commissioner said mutual trade opportunities can be explored in the construction material, light engineering, surgical goods, sports goods, food processing, denim cotton, yarn, tourism and pharmaceutical sectors. He said that this was his first visit to any chamber. He appreciated the role of the Rawalpindi Chamber in promoting trade and business activities.

The high commissioner added that the trade balance between the two countries has always been in favor of Pakistan, and stood at $700 million while Bangladesh’s exports to Pakistan are just $50 million.

Trade and economic ties can help both countries to move forward and his office is ready to provide all kinds of assistance for visas for businessmen, he added. The last meeting on joint economic cooperation was held in 2007, suggesting that the bilateral trade ties can only be further cemented once we have regular meetings on trade.

On this occasion, President of the Chamber Nasir Mirza said that Bangladesh is an important member of SAARC and the Chamber is ready for any kind of cooperation for the exchange of delegations and holding of bilateral business conferences. Bilateral trade can be promoted in the fields of tourism, education, agriculture, IT and pharmaceuticals. Relations between the two countries need to be enhanced at the level of the Chamber of Commerce. Bangladeshi investors can take advantage of investment opportunities in Pakistan.