Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Assures Cooperation to Boost Import-Export

Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan expressed satisfaction with the overall development and progress of the Chittagong Port. On Friday, August 22, 2025, he met with Rear Admiral S.M. Moniruzzaman, Chairman of the Chittagong Port Authority, during a courtesy visit, where he assured cooperation to enhance bilateral trade.

During the meeting, the Pakistani Commerce Minister inquired about the port’s management board, container and cargo handling, labor management, foreign investment, automation, and recent development activities. He was briefed in detail on these matters.

Jam Kamal Khan noted that Pakistan’s Karachi Port Trust operates a container terminal with Hutchison Port Group, a bonded terminal with Abu Dhabi Ports, and a terminal at Port Qasim managed by DP World under long-term agreements. He highlighted similar opportunities for foreign investment in the development of Chittagong Port. Sheikh Bashiruddin, Commerce Adviser to the Interim Government of Bangladesh, emphasized the potential for increasing trade between the two nations. The Chittagong Port Authority Chairman informed that the port recently achieved a record number of container handlings. The waiting time for ships has been reduced to 0–2 days, and the average turnaround time for vessels has also decreased. Additionally, automation and digitalization have made port operations more efficient. The Pakistani Commerce Minister expressed Pakistan’s keen interest in increasing imports and exports, initiating direct shipping services, and strengthening cooperation on mutually beneficial issues.

After the meeting, the Pakistani delegation toured various operational activities of the port. The delegation included Jain Aziz, Trade and Investment Counselor of the Pakistan Embassy, Waqas Yasin, Commercial Attaché, Sheikh Bashiruddin, Commerce Adviser, Rear Admiral S.M. Moniruzzaman, Chairman of the Chittagong Port Authority, Dr. Nazneen Kausar Chowdhury, Additional Secretary of the World Trade Organization Wing of the Commerce Ministry, Commodore Md. Mahfuzur Rahman, Project Director of Bay Terminal, along with senior officials from the port and the Commerce Ministry.

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