Bangladesh and Pakistan are set to hold the ninth Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting tomorrow, 20 years after the last JEC, as the two countries are gearing up to boost bilateral trade and economic cooperation after the July uprising.

Bangladesh stands to benefit from enhanced trade ties with Pakistan as local traders are optimistic about getting more competitive prices and a broader range of raw material sources.

The deal follows an improvement in diplomatic relations since an interim government in Bangladesh led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus taking over in the wake of the protests that drove then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina out of the country.