Pakistan approves key agreements to boost regional trade cooperation in ECO

November 27, 2025 (MLN):  Pakistan has approved two major initiatives aimed at strengthening regional economic cooperation among Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) member states, said a press release issued.

The first is a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Trade Promotion, designed to enhance collaboration in trade, exchange market information, and develop closer business linkages.

The second is an Agreement on Mutual Cooperation among Customs Administrations of ECO countries, which seeks to harmonize customs procedures, improve coordination among enforcement agencies, and facilitate faster and more predictable cross-border movement of goods.

Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan, representing Pakistan on the special nomination of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, delivered Pakistan’s statement at the 5th ECO Ministerial Meeting on Commerce and Foreign Trade, convened in Istanbul after a fourteen-year interval.

In his address, he extended appreciation to Prof. Dr. Omer Bolat, Minister of Trade of the Republic of Türkiye, and Dr. Asad Majeed Khan, Secretary General of the Economic Cooperation Organization, for their leadership in organizing the meeting.

He also commended the Government of Türkiye for its hospitality and the ECO Secretariat for its continued efforts in promoting regional economic cooperation.

Highlighting ECO’s critical role in fostering economic integration, Minister Abdul Aleem Khan noted that despite the region’s shared geography, cultural ties, and economic potential, intra-regional trade remains below its capacity.

He emphasized the need for enhanced trade facilitation, improved connectivity, streamlined regulations, and stronger institutional coordination among member states to achieve sustainable and inclusive growth.

The Minister also welcomed the consensus reached on the ECO Trade Facilitation Strategy, the ECOTA Negotiation Strategy/Roadmap, and the Istanbul Declaration, describing these as important milestones toward a more cohesive regional trade framework

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