Islamabad: In a significant meeting on September 20, Mr. Mohamed Yahiya, the newly appointed United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), met with the Federal Minister for Commerce to discuss enhancing Pakistan’s trade competitiveness. Mr. Yahiya, along with representatives from the UNRHC office, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, and the International Trade Centre, presented a variety of initiatives aimed at boosting sustainable trade growth in the country.

According to Press Information Department, the UN team briefed the Commerce Minister on a wide range of interventions designed to generate fiscal space vital for Pakistan’s sustainable development. They expressed their intent to devise a package of Trade and Climate measures focused on sustainable trade growth, underscoring the global importance of trade-related environmental measures.

The Commerce Minister, Jam Kamal, appreciated the UN’s efforts in the trade sector and advised involving provinces and other relevant stakeholders in the policymaking process. He emphasized that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) should be prioritized in these policies to ensure that the benefits of export growth are shared equitably, particularly with marginalized and vulnerable communities in peripheral areas. Minister Kamal also highlighted the significance of UN-led projects in the agricultural sector that aim to improve the conditions of small farmers and growers, contributing to equitable and sustainable development in bordering districts.