Bangladesh, Pakistan move to deepen textile and apparel trade ties

Economic Correspondent: Bangladesh and Pakistan have expressed renewed interest in expanding bilateral trade and commercial cooperation, particularly in the textile and apparel sectors, during a meeting between the leadership of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Imran Haider.BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan received High Commissioner Haider at the BGMEA office in Dhaka on Sunday, where the two sides discussed ways to strengthen economic and business relations between the two countries.The meeting placed particular emphasis on increasing bilateral trade in textiles and related industries, organising joint activities under an earlier memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the BGMEA and the Pakistan Ready-made Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA), and addressing existing barriers to trade.Bangladesh’s garment industry is one of the country's most important export-oriented sectors, while Pakistan also has a significant textile and apparel industry. Greater cooperation between businesses in the two countries could create opportunities for increased trade, industry partnerships and the exchange of expertise and technology.During the meeting, Khan invited Pakistani companies to participate in the upcoming Bangladesh Apparel and Textile Exposition (BATEXPO), scheduled to be held in Dhaka on November 18-19, 2026.The invitation is seen as an opportunity for companies from both countries to explore potential business partnerships and identify areas for greater cooperation across the textile and apparel supply chains.High Commissioner Haider assured the BGMEA president of Pakistan’s full possible cooperation in efforts to expand bilateral trade and strengthen commercial collaboration.The discussions come as Bangladesh and Pakistan seek to broaden economic engagement beyond traditional areas of cooperation. For businesses in both countries, reducing trade obstacles and creating more opportunities for direct commercial interaction could help build stronger links between their respective textile and apparel industries.The proposed activities under the BGMEA-PRGMEA MoU are also expected to provide a framework for closer engagement between private-sector stakeholders, potentially encouraging business-to-business contacts and cooperation in areas of mutual interest. The Dhaka meeting therefore highlighted a shared interest in making economic relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan more active and business-oriented, with the textile and apparel sectors emerging as an important area for future cooperation.