Deputy High Commissioner Mahbubul Alam praises Bangladesh’s socio-economic progress, with exports topping $55bn and remittances exceeding $25bn annually
By Uzma Ehtasham
KARACHI: The Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Karachi S.M. Mahbubul Alam highlighted a renewed commitment between Bangladesh and Pakistan to deepen bilateral ties across economic, diplomatic, and cultural spheres during a vibrant celebration marking the 54th Independence and National Day of Bangladesh.
The event, hosted by the Bangladesh Mission, served not just as a tribute to Bangladesh’s independence but also as a platform to promote future collaboration between the two South Asian nations.
Speaking to a distinguished audience — including Sindh’s Minister Saeed Ghani, Bangladesh’s High Commissioner Iqbal Hussain Khan, foreign diplomats, parliamentarians, business leaders, women entrepreneurs, and media personnel — the Deputy High Commissioner Mahbubul Alam outlined the compelling potential for cooperation that exists between the two countries.
Alam lauded Bangladesh’s impressive strides in socio-economic development, describing it as one of the world’s five fastest-growing economies. With a robust export volume of over $55 billion annually and more than $25 billion in foreign remittances — over $3 billion of which were received in March 2025 alone — Bangladesh is positioning itself as a future trillion-dollar economy.
Notably, the country is the second-largest exporter of ready-made garments globally, and home to 15 million overseas workers contributing to its economic rise. In addition to its economic achievements, Bangladesh was portrayed as a beacon of religious harmony, rich cultural traditions, and environmental consciousness — with its green landscape and status as the world’s largest delta.
The Deputy High Commissioner also emphasized Bangladesh’s humanitarian ethos, referencing the country’s sheltering of over 1.1 million displaced Rohingya from Myanmar, as well as its status as the second-largest contributor to UN peacekeeping missions. Amid these remarks, a strong case was made for enhanced Bangladesh-Pakistan cooperation.
Recent high-level interactions between Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif — including meetings on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York and the D-8 Summit in Cairo — have laid the groundwork for broader collaboration. Key areas identified include economic cooperation, trade and investment, people-to-people contact, and cultural exchange.
A pivotal milestone was the 6th Round of Foreign Secretary-Level Consultations held on 17 April 2025 in Dhaka, where Ambassador Jashim Uddin of Bangladesh and Ambassador Amna Baloch of Pakistan led their respective delegations in a comprehensive dialogue on bilateral issues.
A direct container shipping route was launched in November 2024 between Karachi and Chittagong, and plans for direct air flights are in the pipeline. A Pakistani business delegation also participated in the Bangladesh Investment Summit held in Dhaka from April 7 to 10, indicating rising commercial interest.
