ISLAMABAD: Ambassadors from seven ASEAN member states have agreed to strengthen trade and economic ties with Pakistan, reaffirming commitment to deeper cooperation across technology, infrastructure, and skills development, the commerce ministry said Tuesday.
Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan hosted the envoys of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, and Myanmar at the ministry in Islamabad, where both sides discussed boosting investment and expanding bilateral and regional trade.
“There is immense potential to go further,” Khan said, citing opportunities in value-added agriculture, technology transfer, and skilled labor. He also highlighted Pakistan’s strategic location as a gateway to Central Asia, with enhanced port connectivity under new transit trade agreements.
The minister briefed diplomats on Islamabad’s revised trade and tariff policies, vehicle import reforms, and progress on a Free Trade Agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). He invited ASEAN businesses to invest in Special Economic Zones under CPEC, citing improved macroeconomic indicators and a more investment-friendly climate.
Pakistan’s new Trade Dispute Resolution Commission, the first of its kind, was also introduced to help international companies resolve issues more efficiently.
The Malaysian envoy offered opportunities for Pakistani firms in Malaysia’s chip-making sector, while other ambassadors noted ongoing ASEAN investments in Pakistan’s construction and energy sectors.
All envoys welcomed Pakistan’s outreach and agreed on the need to accelerate cooperation through trade, tourism, skills exchanges, and supply-chain integration.
Pakistan, a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of ASEAN since 1993, is actively seeking Full Dialogue Partner status, despite a current moratorium.
