Bangladesh and Pakistan have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Monday aimed at strengthening cooperation on national standards, with a particular focus on the certification and mutual recognition of halal products.

The agreement was inked between the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) and the Pakistan Halal Authority (PHA) at the NEC conference room during the 9th meeting of the Bangladesh–Pakistan Joint Economic Commission.

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed led the Bangladesh delegation while Pakistan’s Minister for Petroleum Ali Parvez Malik headed the Pakistani delegation.

The MoU was signed by Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Industries Maksudara Noor on behalf of Bangladesh and Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Haider on behalf of Pakistan.

Under the MoU, halal-certified products approved by BSTI will be accepted in Pakistan without further testing and conversely, products bearing certification from Pakistan’s PHA will be allowed into Bangladesh without additional verification.

Officials said the initiative will ease the export process for halal goods, boost bilateral trade, and deepen economic cooperation between the two South Asian nations.

Dr Salehuddin Ahmed said the meeting underscored several areas of mutual interest to enhance cooperation between the two countries. “Efforts are also underway to revitalise SAARC. We hope this partnership will help strengthen people-to-people ties as well,” he added.

Pakistan’s Minister Ali Parvez Malik said it would promote mutual trust and facilitate trade in halal-certified products between Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Officials from both sides expressed optimism that the accord would open new avenues for halal trade and contribute to expanding the overall scope of bilateral economic relations.