Muktodesh desk: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between Bangladesh’s national standards development and regulatory body, the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), and Pakistan’s halal authority, the Pakistan Halal Authority (PHA).
This MoU was signed emphasising cooperation between the two countries in developing national standards. The signing of this MoU was completed at the 9th meeting of the Bangladesh-Pakistan Joint Economic Commission held at the NEC conference room in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital on Monday.
Saleh Uddin Ahmed, the finance adviser, led the Bangladeshi side, while Ali Parvez Malik, Pakistan’s Minister for Petroleum, led the Pakistani delegation.
On behalf of Bangladesh, Maksura Noor, NDC, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Industries, and on behalf of Pakistan, Imran Haider, the Pakistani High Commissioner appointed to Bangladesh, signed the MoU.
As a result of this MoU signing, BSTI-approved halal products can be exported to Pakistan. Halal products with a BSTI certificate will be able to enter Pakistan without further testing. Conversely, products with a certificate from Pakistan’s Halal Authority (PHA) will be able to enter Bangladesh without further testing.
This is an effort to strengthen trade relations between the two countries, according to a press statement and will facilitate the export trade of halal products between Bangladesh and Pakistan and further strengthen bilateral trade relations.
At the event, Saleh Uddin Ahmed said that various issues have been prioritised for improving relations between the two countries. Furthermore, efforts are ongoing to revitalise SAARC further. He hopes this meeting will also improve relations between the people of the two countries.
Ali Parvez Malik said an agreement regarding halal products has been signed with BSTI. It states that any BSTI-approved halal product can be exported to Pakistan, and Pakistan will accept it. Conversely, Bangladesh will accept the halal certificates issued by Pakistan’s PHA.
