Deeper ties with ASEAN sought
Appreciating Pakistan’s hospitality, the envoys agreed on the need to accelerate bilateral trade and investment flows, including through religious tourism, skills exchanges, and supply-chain partnerships. Photo: file
Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan on Tuesday hosted ambassadors of seven ASEAN member states at the Ministry of Commerce in Islamabad, reaffirming Pakistan's resolve to strengthen trade, investment, and people-to-people ties with Southeast Asia.
According to an official statement, the meeting was attended by the ambassadors and senior diplomats of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, and Myanmar, reflecting the breadth of ASEAN representation in Pakistan.
Welcoming the envoys, Kamal Khan said Pakistan seeks to go beyond traditional trade. He said Islamabad is aiming for long-term partnerships in technology, skills, and infrastructure to build a durable foundation for economic ties.
"All ASEAN countries already enjoy cordial relations with Pakistan, but there is immense potential to go further. Through technology transfer, value addition in agriculture, and a skilled human resource base, we can take our trade from the current level to its true potential," the minister said.
He briefed the envoys on Pakistan's new trade policy, tariff rationalisation measures under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and progress on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). He also mentioned the new vehicle import policy and Pakistan's growing role as a trade hub.
Kamal Khan stressed Pakistan's role as a gateway to Central Asia, noting that its ports are gaining importance under transit trade agreements that lower costs for regional partners. He urged ASEAN companies to invest in Special Economic Zones under CPEC, citing improved macroeconomic stability, single-digit inflation, and an investor-friendly environment.
"Pakistan welcomes you to export to Pakistan, add value here, and then re-export your products," he told the envoys, while also highlighting the creation of a Trade Dispute Resolution Commission to give foreign investors more confidence.
The ASEAN envoys welcomed Pakistan's outreach and said the region sees "great potential" in expanding commercial cooperation. The Malaysian ambassador invited Pakistani firms to participate in Malaysia's expanding chip-making industry. Other ambassadors pointed to existing ASEAN investments in Pakistan's construction and power generation sectors.
Appreciating Pakistan's hospitality, the envoys agreed on the need to accelerate bilateral trade and investment flows, including through religious tourism, skills exchanges, and supply-chain partnerships.
They noted Pakistan's large consumer base and strategic location as natural advantages for strengthening ASEAN-Pakistan ties.
ASEAN, founded in 1967, has become one of the world's fastest-growing markets. Pakistan became a Sectoral Dialogue Partner in 1993 and has sought to upgrade to Full Dialogue Partner status, though a moratorium remains on new partnerships.
The meeting marked a renewed effort by Islamabad to anchor itself in the ASEAN economic landscape. Both sides agreed to chart a roadmap for boosting trade, investment, and institutional cooperation in the coming months.