United News of Bangladesh

Commerce Adviser Sk. Bashir Uddin and Pakistan Prime Minister’s Trade Coordinator Ihsaan Afzal Khan on Thursday discussed ways to enhance bilateral trade and investment, strengthen economic cooperation, and take commercial relations to a new level. The meeting was held at the adviser’s office in the Secretariat in the morning. Adviser Bashir Uddin said Bangladesh’s cement industry heavily relies on imported raw materials particularly limestone and construction-grade stone. Bangladesh needs around 50 million tons of stone annually and for this greater engagement between businesses of both countries is necessary, he said. He said improving labour productivity, utility proportion, logistics excellence, cost of finance and market access can help expand the limited trade basket between the two countries. This will reduce the trade deficit and strengthen people-to-people ties, he added. Pakistan seeks stronger economic ties as PM invites Prof Yunus He stressed the need for creating greater opportunities for Bangladeshi exporters in the Pakistani market. Pakistan PM’s Trade Coordinator Ihsaan Afzal emphasised the importance of removing existing barriers to trade and expanding facilities. “We want to significantly increase trade volume by strengthening direct contacts between business communities, exchanging trade missions and reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers,” he said. Mahbubur Rahman, secretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Ayesha Akter, additional secretary (FTA) were, among others present at the meeting.

Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin has assured that the prices of essential commodities, including dates, chickpeas, and pulses, will remain lower than usual during the upcoming Ramadan. He made the statement while addressing the prize giving ceremony of ‘FRF-PRAN Media Award- 2024’ at the office of Economic Reporters’ Forum (ERF) in Dhaka on Tuesday. The adviser also hoped that the supply of the essential commodities to the market will remain normal that time. Retired army officers demand exemplary punishment for perpetrators of BDR massacre Terming the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) one of the most severely damaged organisations over the past 15 years, he alleged that around Tk 28 lakh crore had been siphoned off during this period, undermining the TCB's role as a regulator. The commerce adviser also commented on the Tk 8 hike per litre of bottled oil, saying, 'Although this may pose a hardship for consumers, it was a necessary adjustment to prevent a massive crisis in the edible oil market. We are now working to offset the impact of the increase by reducing the prices of other products." He alleged that they are receiving inconsistent data about the agricultural produce from the relevant organisations as the past government ruined those, resulting in difficulties in taking decisions on market. Stop lease of haors immediately: Adviser Farida Chaired by ERF President Refayet Ullah Mirdha, the event was attended, among others, by Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, PRAN-RFL Group Chairman Ahsan Khan Chowdhury and Bangladesh Journalist’s Welfare Trust Managing Director Muhammad Abdullah.