Pakistan, Canada review BIT

Seek to expand cooperation in trade, investment, mining and energy

ISLAMABAD:

Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan held a detailed meeting with Canadian High Commissioner Tarik Ali Khan at the Ministry of Commerce, focusing on expanding bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, mining, agriculture, energy and emerging sectors. Coordinator to the Prime Minister for Commerce Rana Ihsaan Afzal Khan was also present.

During the meeting, both sides reviewed the evolving global economic landscape and underscored the need for adaptive trade strategies amid shifting supply chains and geopolitical realignments. The federal minister emphasised Pakistan's intent to diversify partnerships and attract quality foreign investment, particularly in value-adding and export-oriented sectors.

A major focus of discussions was cooperation in the mining and minerals sector. Jam Kamal highlighted Pakistan's growing interest in developing small and medium-scale mining projects and stressed the importance of modern exploration techniques, surveying expertise and responsible mining governance.

The high commissioner noted Canada's global leadership in mining services and exploration technologies and expressed willingness to support Pakistan through capacity-building initiatives, technical assistance and business-to-business matchmaking.

In this context, both sides discussed Pakistan's participation in the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) conference in Toronto, with an emphasis on linking Pakistani miners with reputable Canadian exploration companies and service providers. The meeting also covered agricultural cooperation, particularly the recent resumption of Canadian canola exports to Pakistan.

The two sides acknowledged the successful arrival of initial shipments and agreed to work closely on addressing regulatory and procedural bottlenecks to ensure smooth and timely imports. The federal minister noted that canola was a vital input for Pakistan's edible oil and livestock feed sectors and welcomed greater collaboration in agriculture, agribusiness and food security.

Discussions further explored potential cooperation in dairy and livestock development, including animal genetics, modern dairy farming technologies and disease control mechanisms, aimed at enhancing productivity and quality standards in Pakistan.

On the energy front, the high commissioner raised issues related to Canadian investments in renewable energy projects in Pakistan and stressed the importance of regulatory predictability and timely approvals to sustain investor confidence. Both sides also reviewed progress on the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) and agreed on the need to maintain the momentum in negotiations to encourage greater Canadian investment.