Pakistan, Maldives Aim to Boost Trade to $200 million in Two Years

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the Maldives have agreed to increase their bilateral trade from $13 million to $200 million over the next two years, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Wednesday. The two countries also signed several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to strengthen cooperation in different sectors.

The agreements were signed during the three-day state visit of Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu to Pakistan. The visit is the first by a Maldivian president to Pakistan in 11 years and comes as the two countries mark 60 years of diplomatic relations.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Muizzu witnessed the signing ceremony as officials from both countries exchanged the documents.

Addressing a joint press conference, Prime Minister Shehbaz said Pakistan would speed up efforts to increase bilateral trade and provide technical assistance to the Maldives in the information technology sector.

The agreements cover several areas, including defence, information technology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, health, education, social protection, agriculture, fisheries, tourism and maritime security.

Under one agreement, the two countries will increase cooperation in information technology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital skills, technology and innovation. They also agreed to work together to combat illegal trafficking and the misuse of narcotic drugs.

Other agreements cover social protection, healthcare and cooperation between the Maldives Food and Drug Authority and Pakistan’s Drug Regulatory Authority. The two sides also signed agreements on recruiting healthcare professionals, strengthening defence ties and improving maritime security cooperation.

Pakistan and the Maldives also signed separate agreements to promote cooperation in agriculture and fisheries. They agreed to strengthen technical and vocational education and expand cooperation in education.

The agreements further cover youth and sports development, air connectivity, tourism, and arts, culture and heritage.

Several MoUs were also signed between institutions in the two countries. These include agreements between the Maldives Police Service’s National College of Policy and Law Enforcement and Pakistan’s National Police Academy in Islamabad.

Other agreements were signed between the Civil Service Commission of the Maldives and Pakistan’s Federal Public Service Commission, as well as between the Maldivian commission and Pakistan’s Civil Service Academy.

To promote trade, the Maldives State Trading Organisation and the Trading Corporation of Pakistan signed an MoU covering agricultural commodities, food and other products. The two countries also agreed to cooperate in environmental protection.

Maldives President Receives Guard of Honour

Earlier, President Muizzu received a warm welcome at the Prime Minister’s House, where Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received him and a guard of honour was presented.

The national anthems of Pakistan and the Maldives were played during the ceremony. The two leaders shook hands, exchanged greetings and introduced their respective delegations before holding individual and delegation-level talks.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also met President Muizzu in Islamabad and conveyed greetings and best wishes from President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Ishaq Dar welcomed the Maldivian president and his delegation, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to its long-standing friendly relations with the Maldives. He stressed the importance of expanding cooperation in trade, investment, education, climate change and tourism.

He also welcomed the participation of the Maldivian business delegation in the Pakistan-Maldives Business Forum and expressed hope that business meetings would create new opportunities for trade and investment.

President Muizzu thanked Pakistan for the warm welcome and hospitality. He expressed his country’s desire to strengthen relations with Pakistan and explore new areas of cooperation for mutual benefit.

President Muizzu arrived in Islamabad on October 20 for a three-day state visit, accompanied by First Lady Sajidha Mohamed and a high-level delegation comprising cabinet ministers and senior officials.

During his visit, he is also scheduled to meet President Asif Ali Zardari, who will host a state banquet in his honour, and hold further talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The two sides are also expected to discuss regional and international developments of mutual interest and explore ways to strengthen cooperation.

The visit reflects the commitment of Pakistan and the Maldives to deepen their longstanding relations and expand cooperation for the benefit of both countries.