Dhaka, Aug 23 (V7N): Pakistan High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Syed Ahmed Maroof, met with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday to discuss various bilateral and regional issues, including trade and cooperation between the two nations. The meeting, which lasted for an hour, took place at the BNP chairperson's office in Gulshan.

Present at the meeting were BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and Special Assistant to the BNP Chairperson's Foreign Affairs Advisory Committee Member, Shama Obaid.

After the meeting, Amir Khasru briefed reporters, stating that the discussions touched on several bilateral matters, focusing on enhancing trade, business, and economic relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Khasru emphasized that the talks also covered the importance of advancing bilateral ties, ensuring the independence and sovereignty of both nations, and fostering mutual respect and dignity.

"The potential for regional cooperation across South Asia was a key topic. We explored how both countries can benefit from trade and economic opportunities," Khasru noted.

He further highlighted that the discussion included the need for a level playing field in Bangladesh's business landscape, which he suggested has been lacking. Khasru stressed the importance of moving towards a business environment based on comparative advantage, rather than one that favors certain individuals.

The conversation also addressed the need to strengthen regional cooperation within South Asia. Khasru pointed out that the region is one of the least integrated globally and stressed the importance of enhancing this integration beyond just economic issues.

"We want to advance our relations based on the BNP's foreign policy of friendship with all. Our goal is to strengthen economic cooperation and ensure positive relations between the two countries," Khasru concluded.

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