Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin on Tuesday said the government wants to increase business engagement with different countries for ensuring supply of daily commodities ahead of Ramadan.
"The government is taking steps to increase the supply of daily commodities including onion, sugar and dates ahead of the holy month of Ramadan. That is why, the government wants to increase business engagement with different countries," he said.
The adviser said this during a meeting with Pakistan High Commissioner in Dhaka Syed Ahmed Maroof at the Ministry of Commerce in the city, said a press release.
During the meeting, they discussed bilateral trade, Karachi-Chattogram direct commercial shipping, engagement of businessmen of both countries and activities of joint working group.
Bashir said that the government distributes goods at subsidised prices to a large number of people in the country.
"The commodities include rice, onion, sugar, edible oil and pulses. The initiative of the government helps to make people's lives a little easier," he added.
Syed Ahmed Maroof said Bangladesh and Pakistan have cultural and civilizational ties in the subcontinent as part of the Indo-Muslim civilization.
Bilateral trade will play an important role in strengthening the foundation of this relationship, he added.
Referring to the fact that cargo ships from Pakistan have already arrived in Bangladesh, he said that both countries have benefited because of the reduced time and cost.
He mentioned the interest of Pakistan government in exporting sugar, onion and dates to Bangladesh.
During the meeting, Commerce Secretary Md Selim Uddin and Vice Chairman of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) Anwar Hossain were present.
