Minister has identified various sectors to boost exports to the Maldives

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is seeking to expand its exports to the Maldives, with Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan identifying food products, pharmaceuticals, textiles and construction materials as key sectors for strengthening bilateral trade and investment.

Addressing the Pakistan-Maldives Business Forum in Islamabad, the minister invited his Maldivian counterpart and a business delegation to participate in Pakistan’s upcoming International Food and Agriculture Exhibition (FoodAg 2026), scheduled for November 23-26 in Karachi. He said the previous edition had attracted more than 800 international buyers from 80 countries, providing a platform for connecting Pakistani exporters with overseas markets.

The invitation comes as Pakistan and the Maldives have agreed to increase bilateral trade from approximately USD 13.9 million to USD 200 million over the next two years, an ambitious target aimed at translating six decades of diplomatic relations into stronger commercial engagement.

The forum was attended by Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, federal ministers, senior officials and business representatives from both countries.

Jam Kamal said Pakistan was well-positioned to meet the growing requirements of the Maldivian market, particularly in agricultural commodities, Halal food, pharmaceuticals, surgical instruments, textiles and construction-related products.

He identified rice, meat, processed agricultural products and fresh fruits, including mangoes, citrus, cherries, apricots, peaches and dates, as potential export items. Pakistan’s emerging olive oil industry could also establish a presence in premium international markets, he added.

The minister emphasised the importance of direct business-to-business engagement, encouraging Maldivian importers and investors to establish commercial links with Pakistani manufacturers and exporters.

He said the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) was prepared to facilitate business delegations, identify potential partners and support companies interested in sourcing products or exploring investment opportunities in Pakistan.

Highlighting the importance of connectivity, Jam Kamal stressed that improved maritime and air links would be essential for expanding market access, reducing logistical constraints and facilitating bilateral trade.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, addressing the forum, also underscored the need for reliable shipping connections between Karachi or Gwadar and Malé, saying the two countries would struggle to achieve their trade targets without efficient transport arrangements.

The prime minister announced that a Pakistani delegation comprising business representatives and government officials would visit the Maldives the following week to explore trade and investment opportunities and follow up on understandings reached during the presidential visit.

Meanwhile, President Muizzu said the Maldivian national airline was working towards establishing direct flights between Malé and Karachi, a move expected to facilitate tourism, business travel and commercial exchanges.

The Maldivian president also invited Pakistani companies to invest in cold-chain logistics, temperature-controlled storage, food processing and climate-adaptive agricultural technologies, highlighting the importance of reliable food supply chains for the island economy.

He said the Maldives received more than two million international tourists annually, creating substantial demand for imported food, healthcare products, hospitality services and infrastructure development.

Jam Kamal also identified information technology, digital infrastructure, technology-enabled services, transport, port-related supply chains and the creative economy as promising areas for bilateral cooperation.

On tourism and hospitality, he acknowledged the Maldives’ internationally recognised service standards and suggested greater cooperation in hospitality management, professional training and service quality. He said Pakistan’s expanding tourism sector could benefit from Maldivian expertise.

Outlining Pakistan’s economic reforms, the minister said the government had introduced measures to improve the business environment, simplify tariffs, reduce industrial energy costs, expand export financing and streamline import and export procedures.

He highlighted the Pakistan Single Window initiative, which provides traders with access to multiple government agencies through a unified digital platform, reducing procedural complexities and facilitating cross-border trade.

The minister also referred to reforms in food safety, trade dispute resolution, international compliance standards and Special Economic Zones aimed at improving Pakistan’s export competitiveness and strengthening investor confidence.

The renewed economic engagement follows the exchange of 20 memoranda of understanding during President Muizzu’s visit, covering cooperation in sectors including healthcare, education, technical training, tourism, civil aviation, agriculture, fisheries and maritime security.

Both governments have also agreed to strengthen private-sector partnerships, improve air and maritime connectivity and convene the Joint Economic Commission at an early date to advance bilateral economic cooperation.

Despite longstanding diplomatic relations, trade between Pakistan and the Maldives has remained modest. Achieving the proposed USD 200 million target will require stronger commercial linkages, improved transport connectivity, competitive pricing and sustained engagement between businesses in both countries.

The Maldivian president’s visit, the first by a Maldivian head of state to Pakistan in 11 years, coincided with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026