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Pakistan-Bangladesh Friendship Forum launched - Karachi, Pakistan - Din News.
Wed Aug 20, 2008 5:45 PM GMT+5
Karachi -- The Pakistan Bangladesh Friendship Forum (PBFF) was launched on Monday by prominent figures from both countries, with the aim of bringing the brotherly nations closer.
PBFF Chairman Justice (Retd) Saiduzzaman Siddiqui expressed hope that the forum will strengthen trade and economic ties between the two countries. He spoke about people in both countries who still experienced a strong nostalgia for the past.
He remembered the contributions made, before and after the establishment of Pakistan, by the leaders of the former East Pakistan and said that their great contribution could not be forgotten.
He also lauded Grameen Bank President Muhammad Yunus for the expansion of the middle class in Bangladesh, and said that Pakistan could benefit from the experiences of the former.
Other speakers also said that the people from both the countries held feelings of brotherhood and shared a common destiny. They extended congratulations to the people of both countries and said that the forum had become a reality after continuous input and efforts from both sides.
Speakers said that the forum would provide unique opportunities to both countries in the fields of education, trade, commerce and industries. The High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Pakistan, Yasmeen Murshed, expressed gratitude to the people of Pakistan. �Pakistan and Bangladesh possess very deep and close ties based on common memories, common heritage and values. Moreover we stand together at an international level and have almost common policies towards international affairs,� she said.
Murshed reiterated that the two countries needed to go further not only as brotherly nations but as economic partners as well. �Concerted efforts are required for the development of economic and trade exchange between the two countries. There is a need to explore new avenues of trade and commerce since this is one area in which there is much room to be done more,� she said, adding that even though the current trade between the two countries had reached US$340 million, it was, however, far behind the target: US$1 billion.
She said that the governments of both the countries were going through transitions which might be a reason why things had turned slower during the last couple of years. Both countries are actually going through a cycle of development, the high commissioner said.
�It is an important day for Pakistan as the country has reached another watershed in its history,� Murshed said while she extended her wishes for a more stable and consistent government that would enhance the potential of Pakistan. �Bangladesh is not too far behind Pakistan and we will also have a democratic government with your support,� she said.
The High Commissioner said that trade and commerce development could be ensured through the enhancement of private-to-private organisations. These partnerships, however, had to be supported by the two governments, she said.
A regular shipping link is the first step to increasing the volume of trade between the two countries, she said, adding that the set up of the shipping link and the volume of trade were two actions that would take place simultaneously.
Sindh Information Minister Shazia Marri said that Bangladesh had been part of this country and people still had that connection with them. �What�s done is done. Let�s move on. We still want to be close to the people of Bangladesh,� she said.
The Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Karachi, Saquib Ali, said that the current period was the best in the history of Pakistan-Bangladesh relations and the people of the two countries were more candid now than ever before. He said there were certain matters that had become a taboo and were therefore not discussed easily but he hoped that a time would come when this would be overcome and the people of the two countries would support each other without blaming each other for the past.
Wed Aug 20, 2008 5:45 PM GMT+5
Karachi -- The Pakistan Bangladesh Friendship Forum (PBFF) was launched on Monday by prominent figures from both countries, with the aim of bringing the brotherly nations closer.
PBFF Chairman Justice (Retd) Saiduzzaman Siddiqui expressed hope that the forum will strengthen trade and economic ties between the two countries. He spoke about people in both countries who still experienced a strong nostalgia for the past.
He remembered the contributions made, before and after the establishment of Pakistan, by the leaders of the former East Pakistan and said that their great contribution could not be forgotten.
He also lauded Grameen Bank President Muhammad Yunus for the expansion of the middle class in Bangladesh, and said that Pakistan could benefit from the experiences of the former.
Other speakers also said that the people from both the countries held feelings of brotherhood and shared a common destiny. They extended congratulations to the people of both countries and said that the forum had become a reality after continuous input and efforts from both sides.
Speakers said that the forum would provide unique opportunities to both countries in the fields of education, trade, commerce and industries. The High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Pakistan, Yasmeen Murshed, expressed gratitude to the people of Pakistan. �Pakistan and Bangladesh possess very deep and close ties based on common memories, common heritage and values. Moreover we stand together at an international level and have almost common policies towards international affairs,� she said.
Murshed reiterated that the two countries needed to go further not only as brotherly nations but as economic partners as well. �Concerted efforts are required for the development of economic and trade exchange between the two countries. There is a need to explore new avenues of trade and commerce since this is one area in which there is much room to be done more,� she said, adding that even though the current trade between the two countries had reached US$340 million, it was, however, far behind the target: US$1 billion.
She said that the governments of both the countries were going through transitions which might be a reason why things had turned slower during the last couple of years. Both countries are actually going through a cycle of development, the high commissioner said.
�It is an important day for Pakistan as the country has reached another watershed in its history,� Murshed said while she extended her wishes for a more stable and consistent government that would enhance the potential of Pakistan. �Bangladesh is not too far behind Pakistan and we will also have a democratic government with your support,� she said.
The High Commissioner said that trade and commerce development could be ensured through the enhancement of private-to-private organisations. These partnerships, however, had to be supported by the two governments, she said.
A regular shipping link is the first step to increasing the volume of trade between the two countries, she said, adding that the set up of the shipping link and the volume of trade were two actions that would take place simultaneously.
Sindh Information Minister Shazia Marri said that Bangladesh had been part of this country and people still had that connection with them. �What�s done is done. Let�s move on. We still want to be close to the people of Bangladesh,� she said.
The Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Karachi, Saquib Ali, said that the current period was the best in the history of Pakistan-Bangladesh relations and the people of the two countries were more candid now than ever before. He said there were certain matters that had become a taboo and were therefore not discussed easily but he hoped that a time would come when this would be overcome and the people of the two countries would support each other without blaming each other for the past.
