Pakistan, Maldives pledge to boost bilateral trade to $200m in two years

• Maldivian president receives guard of honour at PM House.
• DPM Ishaq calls on Maldives President Muizzu in Islamabad.
• Maldives president in Islamabad accompanied by delegation.
  

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Maldives have agreed to boost their bilateral trade volume from $13 million to $200 million over the next two years, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Wednesday, as the two countries signed a series of memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to strengthen cooperation across multiple sectors.

The agreements were signed during the three-day state visit of Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, the first by a president of the island nation to Pakistan in 11 years. The visit coincides with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

PM Shehbaz and President Muizzu witnessed the signing ceremony as representatives of the two sides exchanged the documents.

PM Shehbaz, while addressing a joint presser with the visiting dignitary on the occasion, said efforts to increase bilateral trade would be accelerated, adding that Pakistan would provide technical assistance to the Maldives in the information technology sector.

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

An MoU was signed to strengthen cooperation in information technology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital skills, technology and innovation. The two countries also agreed to enhance cooperation in combating illicit trafficking and the abuse of narcotic drugs.

Other agreements covered social protection, health cooperation and collaboration between the Maldives Food and Drug Authority and Pakistan's Drug Regulatory Authority. The two sides also signed MoUs on the recruitment of health professionals, strengthening defence ties and maritime security cooperation.

To promote agricultural and fisheries cooperation, Pakistan and the Maldives signed separate agreements in these areas.

The two countries also agreed to strengthen technical and vocational education and training, alongside broader educational cooperation.

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

Several MoUs were signed between specific institutions of the two countries, including the Maldives Police Service's National College of Policy and Law Enforcement and Pakistan's National Police Academy in Islamabad.

Agreements were also 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 commercial engagement, the Maldives State Trading Organisation and the Trading Corporation of Pakistan signed an MoU on trade in agricultural commodities, food and other products. Another agreement focused on cooperation in the field of environment.

Maldivian president accorded guard of honour 

Upon his arrival at the PM House this morning, Maldivian President Muizzu was received by the premier and accorded a guard of honour. The two leaders shook hands and exchanged pleasantries during the reception.

The national anthems of Pakistan and Maldives were played as the two leaders stood at the salute dais.

Following the ceremony, the two leaders introduced their respective delegations before proceeding to one-on-one and delegation-level discussions.

Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also called on the Maldivian president in Islamabad, conveying warm greetings and best wishes from President Asif Ali Zardari and PM Shehbaz, a statement released by the Foreign Office read.

DPM Dar warmly welcomed President Muizzu and his delegation to Pakistan, reaffirming the country's commitment to its longstanding fraternal relations with the Maldives.

He underscored the importance of expanding bilateral cooperation, particularly in trade, investment, education, climate change and tourism.

The deputy prime minister welcomed the participation of the Maldivian business delegation in the Maldives-Pakistan Business Forum and expressed hope that business-to-business engagements would yield concrete trade and investment opportunities.

President Muizzu appreciated the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him and his delegation. He expressed the Maldives' desire to deepen its close relations with Pakistan and explore new avenues of mutually beneficial cooperation, the statement said.

President Muizzu arrived in Islamabad on October 20 on 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, the Maldivian president is also scheduled to meet President Zardari, who will host a state banquet in his honour, and hold restricted and delegation-level talks with PM Shehbaz.

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

A Pakistan-Maldives Business Forum will be held during the visit to promote interaction between the business communities of the two countries and explore new opportunities for trade and investment.

Pakistan and the Maldives share close ties rooted in shared faith, mutual respect and longstanding goodwill, with cooperation at regional and international forums. The visit reflects their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and expanding mutually beneficial cooperation.