Hong Kong: Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan engaged in a series of high-level bilateral meetings with regional counterparts on the sidelines of the Belt and Road Summit, focusing on trade, connectivity, food security, and emerging technologies.

According to Press Information Department, the Commerce Minister held separate discussions with officials from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Qatar, as well as the Secretary General of the International Organization for Mediation (IoMed). These engagements concentrated on expanding bilateral trade, strengthening regional connectivity, and fostering cooperation in emerging economic and technological areas.

In his meeting with Sri Lanka’s Minister for Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Development, Wasantha Samarasinghe, discussions centered on enhancing economic cooperation, including the expansion and utilization of Pakistan’s first-ever Free Trade Agreement. Both ministers emphasized the importance of business-to-business and people-to-people exchanges, exploring opportunities for enhanced cooperation in connectivity and infrastructure. Food security and the implications of Middle Eastern tensions on global trade were also key topics.

Minister Khan also held talks with Bangladesh’s Minister of Commerce, Industry, Textile, and Jute, Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening economic cooperation. They discussed expanding trade, highlighting Pakistan’s rice exports to Bangladesh as a positive example, and explored diversification into other areas, including textiles. Modern challenges like climate change and cyber threats were also part of the discussions.

In his meeting with Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs, Ahmad bin Mohammad Al Sayed, the focus was on Middle Eastern developments and their regional economic implications. Both ministers explored new trade routes through the Middle East and Central Asia, discussing potential connectivity between Pakistan and Qatar.

Minister Khan’s meeting with IoMed’s Secretary General, Teresa Chan, highlighted Pakistan’s significant role in the organization and its contribution to peaceful dispute resolution through mediation. The engagements at the summit underscored Pakistan’s proactive economic diplomacy and commitment to regional economic development and cooperation.