Pakistan, Ethiopia agree to advance trade cooperation, address WTO issues

Pakistan and Ethiopia have agreed to step up trade discussions, including work on Ethiopia’s WTO accession and unresolved market-access and pharmaceutical registration matters. Business Recorder reported that Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and Ethiopian Trade Minister Yasmin Wohabrebbi held a virtual meeting on Friday.

Ethiopia said 11 of 17 bilateral market-access agreements had been completed and requested Pakistan’s support on the remaining accession steps. The ministers also discussed convening the Joint Economic Committee and preparing a plan to expand trade and investment, with follow-up intended before a proposed bilateral meeting in February 2027. Pakistan also raised the prospect of direct air links and opportunities in pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, agriculture and textiles.