HONG KONG: Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan and Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs Ahmad bin Mohammad Al Sayed have discussed the potential for connecting Pakistan and Qatar through broader trade routes extending across the Middle East towards Türkiye and onward into Europe.
The talks, held on the sidelines of the Belt and Road Summit, focused on regional connectivity and potential transit and trade opportunities through the Middle East and Central Asia.
The two sides also discussed bilateral trade and reaffirmed their commitment to identifying new areas of economic cooperation and expanding existing trade volumes.
Khan and Al Sayed exchanged views on developments in the Middle East and their wider regional and economic implications. The commerce minister appreciated Qatar’s commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region, while the Qatari minister acknowledged Pakistan’s contribution towards regional peace.
The meeting was part of a series of bilateral engagements held by Kamal Khan during the summit, which also included separate talks with counterparts from Sri Lanka and Bangladesh covering trade, food security, technology and connectivity.
In discussions with Sri Lanka’s Minister for Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Development Wasantha Samarasinghe, both sides explored greater utilisation of Pakistan’s first-ever Free Trade Agreement and ways to expand bilateral commerce.
The two ministers also discussed business-to-business and people-to-people exchanges, infrastructure and connectivity, as well as artificial intelligence, cyber security and digitalisation.
Khan thanked Sri Lanka for supporting the reclassification of Pakistani kinnow to improve market access, while the Sri Lankan side appreciated Pakistan’s cooperation regarding pineapples, avocados and king coconut.
Food security and the impact of Middle East tensions on developing economies and international trade also featured in the discussions.
Separately, Khan met Bangladesh’s Minister of Commerce, Industry, Textile and Jute Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, with talks focusing on expanding trade and industrial cooperation.
Khan cited Pakistan’s rice exports to Bangladesh as an encouraging example of growing bilateral commerce and identified textiles as another area with significant potential for diversification.
The Bangladeshi side expressed interest in sharing expertise and experience in industrial development. Both sides also discussed climate change, food security, cyber threats and the growing use of artificial intelligence.
Khan congratulated Bangladesh’s new government and appreciated its reform ambitions and economic progress, while the Bangladeshi side acknowledged Pakistan’s commitment to regional solidarity and peace.
The commerce minister also met International Organization for Mediation (IoMed) Secretary General Teresa Chan, who briefed him on the organisation established in 2025.
The meeting discussed the role of mediation in disputes involving governments and private organisations and highlighted Pakistan’s position as a contracting and founding member of IoMed.
