---

Bangladesh is set to propose duty-free quota-free (DFQF) or preferential market access for a range of agricultural and processed products, as well as jute and jute goods, in upcoming trade talks with Pakistan, official sources said.

The proposal is expected to be tabled during a meeting between the Commerce Adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government and the Commerce Minister of Pakistan. The bilateral meeting, which will take place in Dhaka, is currently being scheduled through diplomatic channels.

Originally slated for July 30–31, the high-level meeting was postponed due to Bangladesh’s ongoing tariff negotiations with the United States. During those dates, Bangladesh’s Commerce Adviser was in Washington for discussions on trade preferences and market access.

Existing Trade Ties

Bangladesh currently imports a wide variety of agricultural items from Pakistan, including:

• Basmati and boiled rice
• Dry dates
• Wheat bran
• Apricots
• Medicinal plant parts
• Potato, onion, maize, maize starch
• Spices like khar jeera (shahi jeera)
• Apples and mandarins

According to trade data from the last six months, Bangladesh imported:

• 464 tonnes of potato
• 73.44 tonnes of basmati rice
• 6,232.97 tonnes of onion
• 52,563 tonnes of boiled rice

On the export front, Bangladesh ships to Pakistan:

• Raw jute and jute yarn
• Wooden pallets and foodstuffs
• Tea, okra seeds, and bamboo splits
• Unmanufactured tobacco and tobacco products
• Bottles and sponge gourd

Agricultural Cooperation MoU

Bangladesh and Pakistan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on agricultural cooperation on February 13, 2006. Under this MoU, Bangladesh received multiple crop varieties from Pakistan, including:

• 7 rice varieties/lines
• 27 wheat varieties/lines
• 21 chickpea varieties/lines

These were transferred to Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) and Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) for evaluation and R&D, which is still ongoing.

The MoU expired in February 2016. A renewal is currently under negotiation between the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) and the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC). A new joint work plan is expected to be formulated through upcoming discussions between the respective working groups.

Potential for New Exports

Officials hinted that Pakistan may consider importing more fresh seasonal fruits from Bangladesh, such as mangoes, pineapples, and jackfruits, in addition to agro-processed goods.