Bangladesh Resumes Rice Imports from Pakistan After 50 Years

Bangladesh is set to receive 25,000 tonnes of rice from Pakistan next month, marking the first government-to-government trade between the two nations in over five decades, Arab News reported.

The food ministry confirmed that the consignment will arrive on March 3. This development follows a thaw in relations after the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina last August, with increased bilateral exchanges facilitated by interim chief adviser Muhammad Yunus and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The resumption of trade is significant amid Bangladesh’s current rice crisis, exacerbated by floods and economic instability. Experts emphasize the importance of diversifying trade sources, especially given recent tensions with India. Dr. Khondaker Golam Moazzem noted that this new source could lead to further opportunities for importing other goods from Pakistan, enhancing commerce ties between the two countries. As both nations explore potential markets, this rice import represents a crucial step in strengthening their bilateral relationship.