|| New export opportunity expected to boost farm incomes, agricultural trade and bilateral economic tiesDiplomatic Correspondent: Pakistan has officially approved the import of fresh pineapples from Bangladesh, opening a new and potentially lucrative market for Bangladeshi farmers, growers and exporters.The development is being viewed as an important step forward in agricultural trade between the two South Asian neighbours and could create fresh opportunities for Bangladesh to increase its exports of fruits and other agricultural products.The market access comes after years of diplomatic engagement and coordinated efforts by the Bangladesh High Commission in Islamabad, the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Karachi, the Department of Agricultural Extension, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with the relevant authorities of both countries.According to a press note issued by the Bangladesh High Commission in Islamabad, Counsellor (Press) Md. Taiob Ali said Pakistan has strong consumer demand for Bangladeshi pineapples because of their quality and taste.The approval is particularly significant for Bangladeshi pineapple growers, who now have the opportunity to reach a new overseas market. Increased exports could help farmers earn better returns and encourage greater investment in pineapple cultivation, packaging, transportation and other related businesses.For Bangladesh, the development also comes at a time when the country is seeking to diversify its agricultural exports and reduce dependence on a limited number of overseas markets.The opening of the Pakistani market is the result of sustained efforts by government agencies and diplomatic missions. Officials from Bangladesh and Pakistan have worked to address the necessary market-access issues and coordinate the requirements for the export of fresh agricultural products.Diplomatic sources described the approval as a reflection of growing economic cooperation between the two countries. They also said the development demonstrates the importance of continued institutional coordination in removing barriers to bilateral trade.The decision could encourage private-sector companies to explore opportunities in the Pakistani market, particularly in the areas of fruit production, collection, grading, packaging, cold-chain logistics and export services.The significance of the approval may extend beyond pineapple exports.Officials expressed hope that the opening of the market for fresh pineapples would pave the way for Bangladesh to export other agricultural products and fresh fruits to Pakistan in the future.Bangladesh produces a wide variety of fruits and agricultural commodities, and access to additional international markets could help exporters expand their customer base and improve the country's agricultural export earnings.For Pakistani consumers, meanwhile, the move could provide greater access to Bangladeshi pineapples, which are known for their distinctive flavour and quality.The new arrangement is also expected to strengthen commercial relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan by encouraging greater private-sector participation and creating opportunities for trade and investment.Economists and trade experts have long stressed the importance of expanding Bangladesh's export basket and finding new destinations for locally produced goods. Agricultural products, particularly fresh fruits, can play an important role in that effort if exporters can meet international standards for quality, food safety, packaging and transportation.The successful export of Bangladeshi pineapples to Pakistan could therefore become a stepping stone for broader agricultural trade between the two countries.For Bangladeshi farmers, the immediate message is one of opportunity. If exporters can establish reliable supply chains and maintain quality standards, the newly opened Pakistani market could translate into increased demand for locally grown pineapples and, ultimately, greater economic benefits for farmers and communities involved in the country's fruit sector.The development thus carries significance beyond a single agricultural commodity. It represents a potential new chapter in Bangladesh-Pakistan trade, with fresh pineapples serving as an early product in a wider effort to expand economic cooperation.