Pakistan, Ethiopia vow to resolve market access issues

Pakistan and Ethiopia agreed to keep working on trade barriers and pharmaceutical registration issues during a virtual ministerial meeting on Friday, The Express Tribune reported. Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and Ethiopian Trade Minister Yasmin Wohabrebbi also discussed Ethiopia’s bid to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and ways to deepen commercial ties.

Ethiopia said 11 of 17 bilateral market-access agreements had been completed, and requested Pakistan’s support on the remaining accession work. Pakistan raised direct air links and called for progress on market-access negotiations and pharmaceutical registrations, while officials urged technical coordination and regular follow-up. The two sides also discussed convening a Joint Economic Committee and preparing a trade and investment roadmap, with outstanding matters to be pursued before a proposed bilateral engagement in February 2027.