Economic cooperation: Punjab CM, Azerbaijan minister agree to form JWG

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif met Azerbaijan’s Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov and discussed expanding bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, urban development, agriculture, logistics, tourism and infrastructure.

During the meeting, both sides formally agreed to establish a joint working group to facilitate economic cooperation and investment. Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb has been appointed head of the joint working group by the Punjab chief minister.

The two sides agreed to further strengthen bilateral economic cooperation, investment ties and institutional partnerships between Punjab and Azerbaijan. They also reaffirmed their commitment to deepening longstanding friendly relations between Pakistan and Azerbaijan.

Discussions focused on expanding organised economic collaboration, particularly in trade, investment, urban development, agriculture, logistics, tourism and infrastructure.

The joint working group will comprise relevant government departments and technical experts from both sides. It will identify priority sectors for cooperation and joint ventures, organise public-private partnership (PPP) opportunities and facilitate investor coordination and project development. This group will also propose sector-specific cooperation frameworks in infrastructure, housing, agriculture, tourism and energy, while mechanisms for regulatory facilitation and ease of doing business will also be developed.

It was agreed that the working group would present actionable proposals within the next few months to transform political goodwill into tangible economic outcomes.

During the meeting, both sides also discussed the prospects of a Preferential Trade Arrangement (PTA) between Pakistan and Azerbaijan aimed at improving market access, reducing trade barriers and increasing bilateral trade volume.

The Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz invited the Azerbaijani economy minister to visit Pakistan. Both leaders agreed to deepen institutional engagement and maintain close coordination through the newly established working group.

The Chief Minister highlighted Punjab’s ongoing economic transformation agenda, including reforms in land use policy, development of Special Economic Zones and the upcoming “Punjab Economic Transformation Plan.” The Punjab’s economic plan focuses on industrial modernisation, exports and value addition.

The meeting also discussed opportunities for Azerbaijani investors in smart cities, real estate, hospitality, agri-value chains, logistics and IT infrastructure.

Both sides agreed to accelerate follow-up engagements to convert discussions into investment-ready projects and reaffirmed their commitment to developing a long-term and structured framework for economic partnership between Pakistan and Azerbaijan.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026