ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the Maldives on Wednesday set a target of increasing bilateral trade from the current USD13.4 million to USD200 million over the next two years, as the two countries agreed to expand economic cooperation and strengthen ties across a range of sectors.
The target was agreed during talks between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the visiting Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, with both sides emphasising trade, investment, tourism, food security, pharmaceuticals and private-sector partnerships.
The two leaders also stressed the need to improve air and maritime connectivity and convene the joint economic commission at the earliest to advance economic cooperation.
Following the talks, the two sides witnessed the signing of 20 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) covering information technology, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, health, education, defence, maritime security, agriculture, fisheries, trade, tourism and other areas.
The agreements include cooperation in emerging technologies, digital skills and innovation, as well as arrangements to combat illicit trafficking and the misuse of narcotic drugs and precursor chemicals.
In the pharmaceutical sector, a MoU was signed between Drug Regulatory Authority (DRAP) and the Maldives Food and Drug Authority. The agreements also provide for healthcare cooperation and the recruitment of medical professionals.
Under a separate arrangement, the Maldives’ State Trading Organisation and the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) will cooperate in the exchange of agricultural commodities, food and other products, providing an institutional mechanism to support trade between the two countries.
Other agreements cover technical and vocational training, higher education, skills development, youth affairs and sports, police and law-enforcement training, and cooperation between the countries’ civil service institutions.
The two sides also agreed to strengthen collaboration in air connectivity, tourism, arts, culture, heritage preservation and environmental protection.
During the talks, Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening its longstanding relations with the Maldives and supporting its national development priorities.
He reiterated Pakistan’s readiness to supply essential food commodities and pharmaceuticals to the island nation, including through government-to-government arrangements.
The prime minister also announced 20 additional undergraduate scholarships annually for Maldivian students and pledged to expand cooperation in healthcare, professional training and capacity-building.
In support of President Muizzu’s Five Million Tree Initiative, Pakistan will provide 100,000 olive cuttings and 100,000 seeds of various plants over the next 12 months, subject to seasonal availability.
Pakistan will also send experts to help establish nurseries, with the aim of supporting the production of one million plants over three years.
The discussions also covered regional and international developments. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to peace, dialogue, respect for sovereignty and international law.
Sharif appreciated the Maldives’ principled support for Palestine and shared Pakistan’s perspective on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) and regional security developments.
At a joint press conference following the talks, the two leaders expressed satisfaction with the outcome of their discussions and stressed the importance of timely implementation of the agreements to ensure tangible benefits for both countries.
During the visit, the International Islamic University Islamabad conferred an honorary PhD in Politics and International Relations on President Muizzu in recognition of his leadership, public service and contributions to the development of the Maldives.
The prime minister also hosted a luncheon in honour of the visiting president and his delegation.
The visit, the first by a Maldivian president in 11 years, coincides with the 60th anniversary of Pakistan-Maldives diplomatic relations. President Muizzu was accorded a guard of honour at the Prime Minister’s House and planted a commemorative sapling.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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