Pakistan Expands Trade, Regional Connectivity and Economic Cooperation at Belt and Road Summit
Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan held a series of high-level meetings with regional counterparts on the sidelines of the Belt and Road Summit, focusing on international trade, regional connectivity, economic cooperation, food security and emerging technologies.
The Commerce Minister separately met senior officials from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Qatar, while also holding discussions with the Secretary General of the International Organization for Mediation (IoMed). The meetings explored opportunities to expand bilateral trade, strengthen regional economic and transport connectivity, improve market access and develop cooperation in emerging technological sectors.
During his meeting with Sri Lanka’s Minister for Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Development, Wasantha Samarasinghe, Minister Jam Kamal Khan discussed measures to strengthen bilateral trade and economic cooperation, including the expansion and greater utilization of Pakistan’s first-ever Free Trade Agreement.
Both sides emphasized the importance of increasing business-to-business and people-to-people exchanges and explored opportunities for closer cooperation in regional connectivity and infrastructure development.
The Sri Lankan Minister highlighted the growing importance of artificial intelligence and cyber security in the modern economy. In response, Minister Jam Kamal Khan underscored the increasing role of digitalization in economic development and said developing countries should explore emerging technologies while simultaneously building the capacity required to address their associated challenges.
The two sides also discussed food security, particularly its impact on poorer and developing countries, as well as the wider implications of tensions in the Middle East for the global economy and international trade.
Minister Jam Kamal Khan thanked Sri Lanka for its support in the reclassification of Pakistani kinnow, which has helped improve market access. The Sri Lankan Minister, in turn, appreciated Pakistan’s cooperation concerning Sri Lankan pineapples, avocados and king coconut.
The two sides further explored avenues for expanding cooperation in regional connectivity and infrastructure development, highlighting the importance of stronger economic links between the two countries.
Pakistan and Bangladesh Seek Wider Trade and Industrial Cooperation
In a separate meeting with Bangladesh’s Minister of Commerce, Industry, Textile and Jute, Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening economic cooperation and bilateral trade as well as the brotherly relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh.
The Bangladeshi side appreciated Pakistan’s commitment to regional solidarity and peace and acknowledged its role in efforts aimed at resolving regional tensions.
Minister Jam Kamal Khan congratulated Bangladesh’s new government and appreciated its reform ambitions, economic progress and commitment to greater regional engagement.
Recalling his recent visit to Bangladesh, the Commerce Minister highlighted the considerable potential for stronger economic cooperation, increased trade exchanges and closer relations between the two countries.
Minister Khan cited Pakistan’s rice exports to Bangladesh as an encouraging example of expanding bilateral trade. He said there was significant potential to diversify trade into other sectors, including textiles, creating opportunities for broader commercial and industrial cooperation.
The Bangladeshi Minister expressed interest in exploring avenues for sharing expertise and experiences in industrial development and promoting greater industrial cooperation between Pakistan and Bangladesh.
The two sides also discussed major contemporary challenges, including climate change, food security, cyber threats and the growing use of artificial intelligence.
Both ministers agreed that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and stronger regional connectivity could play an important role in shaping the region’s economic future while creating new opportunities for trade, investment and development.
Pakistan and Qatar Explore Regional Trade Routes
Federal Minister Jam Kamal Khan also met Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs, Ahmad bin Mohammad Al Sayed. The two sides exchanged views on the latest developments in the Middle East and their wider regional and economic implications.
Minister Jam Kamal Khan appreciated Qatar’s resolve and commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region.
The Qatari Minister acknowledged Pakistan’s significant contribution towards regional peace and highlighted the positive impact of its efforts.
Regional connectivity and the Belt and Road Initiative featured prominently during the meeting. Both sides explored new opportunities for transit trade and regional economic connectivity through the Middle East and Central Asia.
The ministers also discussed the potential for connecting Pakistan and Qatar through broader regional trade routes extending through the Middle East towards Türkiye and onward into Europe.
Bilateral trade was another key area of discussion, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to identifying new areas of economic cooperation and expanding existing trade volumes.
The discussions reflected the growing importance of regional trade corridors in strengthening economic links between South Asia, the Middle East, Central Asia and Europe.
Pakistan Highlights Role in International Mediation
The Commerce Minister also met Teresa Chan, Secretary General of the International Organization for Mediation (IoMed).
Ms. Chan briefed Minister Jam Kamal Khan on the organization, which was established in 2025, and highlighted Pakistan’s role as a contracting and founding member as well as its important contribution to the organization.
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The meeting discussed the growing role of mediation in resolving disputes involving governments and private organizations. IoMed is positioned to contribute to peaceful and institutional approaches to dispute resolution.
The engagement added an important dimension to Pakistan’s broader economic diplomacy, particularly as international trade and investment increasingly depend on stable mechanisms for resolving commercial and institutional disputes.
Pakistan Strengthens Economic Diplomacy at BRI Summit
The series of high-level meetings with regional counterparts underscored Pakistan’s proactive economic diplomacy at the Belt and Road Summit. The engagements focused on expanding international trade, strengthening regional connectivity, improving market access, promoting technological cooperation and developing stronger economic partnerships across the region.
The discussions with Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Qatar also highlighted opportunities to diversify bilateral trade, strengthen industrial cooperation and develop regional transport and trade corridors.
At the same time, discussions on artificial intelligence, cyber security, climate change and food security demonstrated the increasingly interconnected challenges facing developing economies.
Through its engagements at the Belt and Road Summit, Pakistan emphasized the importance of stronger regional economic partnerships and connectivity in supporting trade and development while exploring new opportunities across South Asia, the Middle East, Central Asia and beyond.
