2nd round of CEPA talks with Seoul soon

Federal Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, speaking by video link as chief guest, told a Pakistan-Korea trade and investment conference in Seoul that the second round of talks on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement is expected to start soon. According to The Express Tribune, he said the first round had been wrapped up successfully. The event drew more than 170 businesspeople from both countries and produced six memoranda of understanding between firms.

Khan said the pact, once finalised, would create fresh openings for Pakistani exporters and deepen economic ties between the two countries. He asked companies on both sides to use the gathering to build firm partnerships before the agreement is concluded. Attendance included 91 Korean and 82 Pakistani businesspeople, among them members of the diaspora and delegates from the Sialkot and Gujranwala chambers of commerce.

Officials from the SIFC and TDAP highlighted export scope in garments, leather products, surgical and sports equipment, food items, minerals and software services. The six MoUs, which cover salt, cosmetics, oil and sesame seed trade, are expected to form the basis for definitive commercial agreements. A second such conference is planned in Seoul for March 2027, to build on momentum once the CEPA is concluded.