Pakistan and Canada have agreed to strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties by focusing on key sectors such as mining, agriculture, information technology, renewable energy, and skill development. The understanding was reached during a meeting between Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan and Canadian High Commissioner to Pakistan Tarik Ali Khan at the Ministry of Commerce. Both sides reaffirmed their intent to deepen economic collaboration, encourage private sector participation, and explore new opportunities for joint ventures across multiple industries.
During the meeting, the Canadian High Commissioner highlighted Canada’s plan to diversify its trade markets across Asia, identifying Pakistan as a promising destination for Canadian exports. He emphasized that Pakistan’s expanding market and industrial growth make it an attractive partner for Canada’s agricultural and resource sectors. Canada aims to strengthen trade ties through exports of canola oil, soybean, and pulses, while also facilitating partnerships in agriculture technology and sustainable mining. The High Commissioner announced that Canada will host three major expos in the coming months, including the PDAC Convention for the mining industry in March, Crops Canada Show in April for the agriculture sector, and Collision, a global IT and tech event, in Toronto. He encouraged Pakistan’s active participation in these events to build stronger business-to-business linkages and promote cross-border collaborations.
Minister Jam Kamal Khan welcomed the Canadian initiative and underscored Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to enhance value addition in food, livestock, and halal-certified products. He said Pakistan holds global credibility in halal production and invited Canadian companies to participate in the Pakistan Food & Agriculture Expo 2025, set to take place on November 25 in Karachi. The event will highlight Pakistan’s strengths in agri-based exports and processed food, offering international investors and buyers an opportunity to explore partnerships. The Minister also shared updates on Pakistan’s rapid digital transformation, emphasizing growth in e-commerce, fintech innovation, and IT exports. He noted that collaborations with global technology leaders such as Meta and Google have helped accelerate Pakistan’s digital ecosystem, fostering AI-driven startups and creating new opportunities in the digital economy.
Both sides discussed the potential for cooperation in renewable energy, small and medium enterprise (SME) development, and human resource exchange programs. The Canadian High Commissioner commended Pakistan’s investor-friendly trade policies, industrial progress, and export diversification initiatives. He acknowledged the vital role of the 300,000-strong Pakistani diaspora in Canada, including members of the Canadian Parliament, in strengthening bilateral relations. The meeting concluded with both delegations expressing their commitment to deepen economic engagement through active participation in upcoming trade expos and sector-specific collaborations in both countries. The renewed focus on sustainable development, digital innovation, and shared growth underscores the growing potential for Pakistan and Canada to expand their partnership beyond traditional trade into technology-driven and value-added sectors.
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