Pakistan, Belarus reaffirm commitment to boost industrial collaboration

Islamabad (Web Desk): Pakistan and Belarus have agreed to further expand their economic partnership by promoting technology exchange and industrial cooperation, with a particular focus on creating stronger links between small and medium-sized enterprises.

The agreement was reached in Islamabad during the two-day ninth meeting of the Pakistan-Belarus Joint Ministerial Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation.

As part of efforts to broaden bilateral trade, both countries decided to form a Joint Feasibility Study Group to assess the possibility of negotiating a Bilateral Trade Agreement covering services.

Pakistan also conveyed its willingness to help facilitate the placement of Pakistani workers in Belarus under a mutually agreed and well-organised framework.

The initiative is expected to support Belarus’ economic needs while opening up meaningful employment opportunities for young Pakistanis.

The two sides also agreed to arrange virtual business-to-business meetings involving traders and companies dealing in seafood, fruits, vegetables, seeds and dairy products.

They further committed to encouraging greater participation in agricultural exhibitions and food fairs, alongside exchanges of business delegations from both countries.

The measures are aimed at creating new commercial partnerships, attracting investment and promoting the sharing of expertise and knowledge.

On cooperation in science and technology, Pakistan proposed beginning work on a Mutual Recognition Agreement under the existing memorandum of understanding between the State Committee for Standardization of Belarus and the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority.

Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, addressing the session, said Pakistan remained firmly committed to its enduring ties with Belarus, which he said were founded on mutual confidence, respect for sovereign equality and common interests.

He described the Joint Ministerial Commission as a key mechanism in the bilateral relationship, saying it offered an important avenue for expanding collaboration in a broad range of areas.

Belarusian Energy Minister Dzianis Maroz, for his part, expressed his country’s readiness to strengthen and widen cooperation with Pakistan in various sectors.

He also welcomed fresh initiatives aimed at giving further momentum to relations between the two countries.