Pakistan, Maldives pledge to boost trade to USD200m in 2 years

Pakistan and the Maldives have set an ambitious goal to lift annual bilateral commerce from USD13.4 million to USD200 million within two years, Business Recorder reported. The agreement followed talks between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, with both governments seeking wider economic links. They also called for stronger air and sea connections and an early meeting of their joint economic commission.

The leaders witnessed the signing of 20 memoranda spanning areas including technology, health, agriculture, education, tourism and maritime cooperation. One agreement links Pakistan’s Trading Corporation with the Maldives’ State Trading Organisation to facilitate exchanges of food and farm goods. Pakistan also offered food supplies and medicines, while a separate health agreement covers regulatory cooperation and medical staff recruitment. The package includes additional scholarships for Maldivian students and support for the country’s tree-planting programme.