Pakistan hosts SCO trade ministers meeting tomorrow, India to attend virtually

Outcomes of meeting will be reviewed during state heads meeting, scheduled for October 15-16 in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan is hosting the 23rd Meeting of Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) responsible for Foreign Economic and Trade Activities on Thursday, according to an official statement.

"This important event, where Ministers of SCO countries dealing with External Trade and Commerce would be representing their countries, will be chaired by Pakistan's Commerce Minister, Jam Kamal Khan," the statement issued on Wednesday said.

Trade ministers from all SCO member states, including India, have been invited. However, India's trade minister will attend the meeting virtually and will not travel to Islamabad.

The ministerial meeting follows a series of preparatory meetings by the Commission of Senior Officials (CSO) of SCO Member States, which concluded in Islamabad on 10th and 11th September 2024.

The ministers are set to focus their discussions on enhancing regional trade cooperation, advancing sustainable development, and improving connectivity among SCO nations to promote economic prosperity.

The outcomes of this meeting will be reviewed during the Council of Heads of Government meeting, scheduled for 15-16 October 2024 in Islamabad.

Pakistan, as the current Chair of the SCO Council of Heads of Government, is using its position to promote economic cooperation. The forum is one of the SCO's key platforms, dealing with economic, trade, social, cultural, and budgetary matters.

The SCO, which represents almost half of the world’s population and a substantial portion of global GDP, is a major regional bloc. It was founded in 2001 and has expanded to include India, Pakistan, and Iran, among others.

The organisation is seen as a counterbalance to Western alliances and plays a vital role in fostering regional collaboration.