Pakistan, Australia discuss trade, investment cooperation

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Australia reviewed bilateral trade and investment relations and explored new opportunities to boost cooperation in agriculture, livestock, information technology, mining, services, and textiles during the Australia–Pakistan Joint Trade Committee meeting in Canberra.

The 10th round of the Australia–Pakistan Joint Trade Committee was also held in Canberra on 4th August 2026. The Pakistan side was led by Jawad Paul Khawaja, Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, while the Australian side was led by Ms Sarah Storey, First Assistant Secretary, South and Central Asia Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

The two sides discussed bilateral trade and investment cooperation, with particular focus on enhancing collaboration in key sectors, including agriculture, livestock, IT, mining, and services. They also exchanged views on improving market access and addressing trade-related issues, particularly those relating to Pakistan’s textile products. The discussions further covered evolving global trade dynamics, their implications for bilateral trade, and opportunities for strengthening cooperation within multilateral trading frameworks, including the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Similarly, the 9th round of Pakistan–Australia Senior Officials’ Talks was also held in Canberra on 4 August 2026. The Pakistan delegation was led by Ambassador Dr Syed Ali Asad Gillani, Additional Foreign Secretary (Asia Pacific), while the Australian delegation was headed by Ms Sarah Storey, First Assistant Secretary, South and Central Asia Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

During the meeting, the two sides undertook a comprehensive review of bilateral relations and discussed opportunities to further strengthen cooperation across a wide range of areas of mutual interest, including high-level exchanges, political engagement, economic development, science and technology, education, defence, security and counter-terrorism, transnational crime, and climate change.

They also exchanged views on regional and international developments and discussed enhanced coordination at multilateral fora. The Additional Foreign Secretary briefed the Australian side on Pakistan’s efforts to de-escalate the crises in the Middle East and the regional situation in South Asia, including the situation in IIOJK and India’s continued violation of the Indus Waters Treaty.

The discussions provided an opportunity to take stock of progress in bilateral relations, identify new avenues for collaboration, and reinforce the momentum towards a mutually beneficial partnership.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026