Bangladesh and Pakistan strengthen trade ties with a historic 50,000-tonne rice deal, marking a new era of direct government-to-government trade.

In a significant step towards improving bilateral trade, Bangladesh has directly imported 50,000 tonnes of rice from Pakistan, marking the first government-to-government trade deal between the two nations in decades.

The agreement, signed in January 2025, reflects growing economic cooperation and easing trade restrictions between Dhaka and Islamabad.

Bangladesh imported rice from India, Thailand, and Vietnam for years, but this new deal offers an alternative sourcing option at competitive prices.

Bangladesh faces frequent climate-related disasters, so securing a stable food supply is a top priority for the country’s 170 million citizens.

“For the first time, we are importing rice directly from Pakistan, eliminating the need for third-party transit,” said Ziauddin Ahmed, a Bangladesh Food Ministry senior official.

Previously, Pakistani goods had to be rerouted through intermediary ports such as Sri Lanka or Malaysia, increasing costs and delays.

The renewed trade relations follow political changes in Bangladesh, where a shift in government has opened doors to new trade partnerships.

This rice deal could be the first of many agreements between the two nations.

Discussions are underway for further collaboration in agriculture and other sectors.

Experts believe this agreement will reduce food prices in Bangladesh while providing Pakistan’s rice industry with a valuable export market.

With direct trade now in place, businesses from both countries are optimistic about further economic cooperation in the coming years.

This historic trade agreement signals a new chapter in Bangladesh-Pakistan relations, potentially paving the way for stronger economic ties and regional stability.