Pakistan, Egypt propose trilateral export plans

December 03, 2025 (MLN):  Pakistan and Egypt discussed plans to establish trilateral production models and enhance maritime cooperation through mutual port access with both nations committing to structured sector-specific working groups to expand bilateral trade in textiles, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, mining, and e-commerce.

Federal Minister for Commerce of Pakistan, Jam Kamal Khan, and Egypt's Minister of Investment & Foreign Trade, Hassan El Khatib, held substantive discussions focused on creating new economic partnerships between the two countries, said a press release issued.

Minister Khan emphasized Pakistan's key growth sectors including textiles, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, ICT, and value-added industries, while highlighting Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif's directive to develop the mining industry, particularly in critical minerals where domestic and international investors are actively participating.

The Pakistani minister proposed innovative trilateral production arrangements where components could be manufactured in Pakistan, further processed in Egypt, and jointly exported to Europe and the United States.

He noted similar triangular trade models could be developed for Pakistan's market linkages with China, Central Asia, and ASEAN.

Minister Khan also appreciated the infrastructure transformation in Cairo and stressed that recent political goodwill between the nations provides a strong foundation for deeper economic cooperation.

Minister El Khatib outlined Egypt's economic transformation journey, highlighting large-scale infrastructure investments including the New Administrative Capital, extensive railway modernization, and nuclear power capability development.

He emphasized maritime cooperation as a priority, proposing mutual port access and storage facilities to strengthen trade with North Africa, Europe, the United States, China, and ASEAN.

The Egyptian minister also introduced Egypt's preferential trade agreements with more than 70 countries and the nation's ambitions in renewable energy, water desalination, and electric vehicle technologies.

Both ministers agreed that visa facilitation would be prioritized under the upcoming Joint Working Group framework.

They committed to creating dedicated groups for sector-specific cooperation, setting concrete targets in priority areas, and evaluating progress through active monitoring.

A future ministerial visit to Pakistan will be considered after reviewing the Joint Working Group's outcomes and progress.

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