B'desh easing visa policy for Pak business leaders to boost trade: High Commissioner
Speaking at a reception hosted by the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GTCCI) on Saturday, Bangladesh High Commissioner to Pakistan Iqbal Hussain Khan said Dhaka views Pakistan as a gateway to Central Asia.
'We believe in stability and economic growth in the region, which is why we are easing the visa regime for Pakistan, particularly for businessmen,' Khan said. 'Both countries have started granting visas to trade delegations,' he added.
He also said bilateral trade between the two countries is expected to cross USD 1 billion this fiscal year, expressing hope that trade will continue to grow as both nations remain committed to strengthening cooperation.
Speaking at the event, GTCCI President Bau Muneer said that Pakistan and Bangladesh, being the largest economies in SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) after India, should utilise regional trade opportunities for mutual benefit.
He said that Bangladesh's GDP has reached USD 437 billion while Pakistan's GDP stands at USD 373 billion. 'It is time we join hands to maximise the trade potential.' After Sheikh Hasina's ouster as the prime minister of Bangladesh last year, the bilateral relations witnessed a thaw with high-level exchanges between the two nations.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Terror accused from Dharmavaram sent to 14-day judicial remand
Tirupati: The Kadiri court sent Kothwal Noor Mohammed, a 42-year-old man from Dharmavaram, suspected to have links with Pakistani terror outfits, to 14-day judicial remand to Kadapa central prison on Sunday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now According to the police, Mohammed was actively involved in anti-national discussions in about 6 prohibited WhatsApp groups and 30 other WhatsApp groups with terror links being operated from Pakistan. Some of these WhatsApp groups included that of Jaish-e-Mohammed, Sadayi-Jihad, Maqbhuj Ki Awaz, Nazir-Aathi students open political group in Pakistan and Khafiran ki Lia Talwar. Noor Mohammed was also preparing himself to go abroad for training if any terror outfit provided him with an opportunity. The police investigation revealed that Mohammed, who worked as a biryani and tea master at a local hotel, was involved in brainwashing local youngsters visiting the local mosque. The police seized a mobile phone and some literature linked to the jihadi campaign from Mohammed's possession. The mobile phone has been sent to a forensic lab for analysis to uncover the depth of his involvement in cross-border terrorism activities. Addressing a press conference at Puttaparthi on Sunday, Sri Sathya Sai district SP V Rathna stated that the police department will seek the custody of Mohammed for further questioning once the forensic lab reports arrive. The police are investigating Mohammed's background, including his family and how he acquired funds to build a new house with modern amenities. Mohammed was booked under various sections of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act-1967 and the BNS Act. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The court remanded him to judicial custody for 14 days, and he will be lodged in the Kadapa Central Prison. The police are working to uncover the extent of Mohammed's involvement in terror-related activities and his connections with Pakistani terror outfits. The investigation is ongoing, and the police are expected to gather more evidence and clues during the remand period.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
'More than happy': Sadiq Khan expresses willingness to meet Trump; London mayor unshaken by US leader's 'nasty person' jibe
Sadiq Khan (Image: X/@MayorofLondon) and Donald Trump (AP image) London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he is willing to meet US President Donald Trump and would be 'more than happy to meet' him, even as he warned that Trump's words could 'inadvertently radicalize people' and that he is 'not a force for good.' The Labour politician dismissed Trump's recent personal attacks, made during the US President's visit to Scotland, in which Trump called Khan 'a nasty person' who had 'done a terrible job.' Khan described such comments as 'water off a duck's back'. However, speaking at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, he admitted that the exchanges sometimes made him feel 'nine years old again' and like he was 'in the school playground,' as reported by the Independent. During the event, Khan had criticised Trump's views on women, black people, LGBTQ+ individuals, Muslims and Mexicans. 'Somebody who has views like he does about black people, about women, about gays, about Muslims, about Mexicans, thinks I'm nasty. Really. He is the leader of the free world, arguably the most powerful man in the world, and really.' Khan highlighted that since Trump began his second term in January, record numbers of Americans have applied for British citizenship and moved to London. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo 'So I think Americans have got good taste by and large,' he said. He hoped that Trump would visit London during his upcoming state visit to the UK, emphasizing that the city's diversity is a 'strength, not a weakness.' Speaking about diversity, he added, 'I think it makes us stronger not weaker, richer not poorer." The London mayor warned that President Trump's words can push extreme views into the mainstream and become potentially dangerous. He may unintentionally radicalize people, prompting harmful actions. Khan also highlighted that minorities in London could face discrimination because of the Trump's statements. He accused US President of 'using London and our diversity as a political football, as a proxy for a culture war.' Despite his criticisms, Khan said he would be 'more than happy to meet President Trump'. The Labour politician said, 'I suspect President Trump may have formed a view of Muslims because of the actions of a small minority of really bad people who are terrorists and use Islam in a perverted way. 'What I would want President Trump to know is that is a very small fraction of Muslims across the globe. So if there was an opportunity to meet President Trump, I would be more than happy to do so.'
The Hindu
3 hours ago
- The Hindu
From The Hindu, August 18, 1975: Boom days no more for Dubai gold dealers
Dubai, Aug. 17: This little Sheikhdom's once-active gold smugglers have run into rough times, victims of high international prices and an Indian crackdown. Dubai alone imported a good chunk of the non-communist world's gold production of 258 tonnes in 1970. Five years later imports have dropped to only five tonnes. In the boom days, most of the gold was minted in London and Zurich into small bars, airfreighted to Dubai and loaded in Arabian dhows of timeless design. The dhows sailed through the Arabian Sea to slip the precious metal into India and Pakistan for sale to black-market dealers. But those days are gone, at least for the time being. 'There are really three reasons why the gold has dwindled almost to nil here,' said a banker formerly engaged in the trade. 'There has been pressure from India, the fluctuations in the world gold price have put the risk up and the business expansion here has provided other outlets for speculative investment.' A Pakistani took time off from his new job of dealing in steel bars, portland cement and gold in Dubai's stock and commodity exchange to explain: 'The financial risks in smuggling gold to India are now three times greater than they were five years ago.' A Dubai-based smuggler could make an average 10 per cent net profit on each trip. Making several trips a month, he could soon double his stake. While the price of gold on the Indian black market has gone up, it has not kept pace with the world price. The dhows now carry expensive watches and luxury fabrics. But this trade too has suffered a recession, with ringleaders in the smuggling network being rounded up. 'You can't totally stop it,' said an Indian diplomat here. 'It has always gone on and it will always go on.'
