Pakistan, South Korea move closer to CEPA

Pakistan and South Korea have completed the first round of talks on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, according to Business Recorder, and a second round is expected shortly. Federal Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan said the pact, once finalised, would create fresh openings for Pakistani exporters and deepen trade ties between the two countries. He made these remarks at a trade and investment conference held in Seoul.

More than 170 businessmen from both countries attended the event, among them members of the Pakistani diaspora and delegates from the Sialkot and Gujranwala chambers of commerce. Six memoranda of understanding were signed between Pakistani and Korean firms during business-to-business sessions, with topics ranging from salt and cosmetics to oil and sesame seeds. These MOUs are expected to lay groundwork for firm commercial agreements, and a follow-up conference is planned in Seoul for March 2027.

Officials from the Special Investment Facilitation Council and the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan then outlined Pakistan's export opportunities in apparel, leather products, sports and surgical goods, processed farm foods, mineral products and IT services. The minister asked businesses from both nations to use the event as a springboard for concrete partnerships before the agreement is concluded.