After more than five decades, Bangladesh has started trading directly with Pakistan again. Under a government-to-government deal, Bangladesh is importing 50,000 tonnes of rice from Pakistan—the first direct trade between the two countries in over 50 years.
The rice, priced at USD 499 per ton, is being shipped in two phases. The first batch has already arrived, and the second should be here by early March. The government’s main goal with this move is to help stabilize rice prices and ensure there’s enough supply for everyone.
There are some concerns, though, since Pakistani rice is more expensive than the rice Bangladesh usually gets from Vietnam, which costs less. Still, officials feel that bringing in rice from various sources will help make sure there’s enough food and reduce the chances of shortages later on. Over time, this could help them build a stronger connection and open doors for future cooperation.
Source: Business Inspection BD
