Key Takeaways
- Pakistan and Qatar explore trade routes linking the Middle East, Türkiye, and Europe.
- Bilateral meetings focus on expanding trade and connectivity.
- Discussions include potential trade through the Middle East and Central Asia.
Pakistan and Qatar have been exploring new trade routes that could link Pakistan with Türkiye and European markets, according to a Federal Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan. These discussions took place during the Belt and Road Summit, where the minister met with regional counterparts.
During the meetings, Jam Kamal Khan met with Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs, Ahmad bin Mohammad Al Sayed, to discuss the latest developments in the Middle East and their economic implications. Both ministers acknowledged the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the region.
The discussions also covered the potential for connecting Pakistan and Qatar through broader regional trade routes, extending through the Middle East towards Türkiye and into Europe. Bilateral trade was discussed, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to exploring new areas of economic cooperation and expanding existing trade volumes.
In another meeting, Jam Kamal Khan met with Sri Lanka’s Minister for Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Development, Wasantha Samarasinghe. Both ministers discussed ways to strengthen bilateral trade and economic cooperation, including the expansion and greater utilisation of Pakistan’s first-ever Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
The two ministers highlighted the importance of enhanced business-to-business and people-to-people exchanges and explored opportunities for closer cooperation in connectivity and infrastructure. They also discussed food security and its impact on poorer and developing nations.
The minister also held a meeting with Bangladesh’s Minister of Commerce, Industry, Textile and Jute, Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening economic cooperation. The discussions focused on regional connectivity and infrastructure development.
Both ministers acknowledged the growing importance of artificial intelligence and cyber security, with Jam Kamal Khan pointing out the increasing role of digitalisation in economic development. They also discussed the reclassification of Pakistani kinnow for improved market access and appreciated each other’s cooperation regarding the export of Sri Lankan pineapples, avocados, and king coconut.
The engagements underscored the commitment of the countries to expanding trade and connectivity, exploring new avenues for economic cooperation, and addressing the challenges posed by regional tensions.
