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For the first time since 1971, Bangladesh has resumed direct trade with Pakistan, marking a significant step in economic relations between the two nations. The first shipment of 50,000 tonnes of white rice has departed from Pakistan’s Port Qasim under a government-to-government agreement, officials confirmed.
This renewed trade partnership comes amid improving diplomatic ties following the formation of an interim government in Bangladesh, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, after widespread protests led to the departure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The agreement, finalized earlier this month, allows Bangladesh to procure white rice from Pakistan at a rate of $499 per ton through the Trading Corporation of Pakistan. The shipment will be delivered in two phases, with the remaining 25,000 tonnes expected to arrive in early March.
However, the price of Pakistani rice exceeds that of Vietnamese rice, which Bangladesh has been purchasing at $474.25 per ton.
The Bangladeshi government is actively working to stabilize the domestic rice market, where prices have surged by 15-20% in recent months. Currently, medium-quality rice is being sold at approximately 80 taka ($0.66) per kilogram.
To curb rising costs, authorities have intensified rice imports from international markets, including procurement through tenders, and have eliminated import duties to ease the financial burden on consumers.
