Bangladesh and Pakistan Eye Closer Ties in Pharmaceutical Trade and Investment

Bangladesh and Pakistan are exploring deeper cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector, recognising untapped potential for trade and investment. This was highlighted during a meeting held on 5 May 2025 in Karachi between Bangladesh’s Deputy High Commissioner, S.M. Mahbubul Alam, and a delegation from the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (RCCI).

The visiting RCCI delegation included President Usman Shaukat, Senior Vice President M. Khalid Farooq Qazi, and Vice President Fahad Barlas. They were joined by prominent businessmen, including Mr. Sohail Altaf, Mr. Hamza Tabani, Chairman of Tabani Group, and Mr. Hatim Tabani, CEO of the group.

The discussion focused on expanding bilateral trade, with particular interest in the pharmaceutical industry. RCCI officials pointed out that their chamber already has a memorandum of understanding with the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) aimed at fostering mutually beneficial commercial relations. They expressed keen interest in collaboration across vaccine production, oncological medicines, and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).

Deputy High Commissioner Alam noted that Bangladesh is home to more than 300 advanced pharmaceutical companies and currently exports to over 80 countries. The country meets 97 percent of its domestic pharmaceutical demand and is developing a dedicated API industrial zone.

RCCI President Shaukat observed that Pakistan’s pharmaceutical sector covers about 70 percent of the country’s domestic needs and said there is considerable room for synergy between the two markets.

Alam extended an invitation for RCCI business delegations to visit Bangladesh and called for greater engagement between business communities and chambers in both countries.