Overview
- At the D-8 trade ministers’ meeting in Cairo, Pakistan urged full operationalization of the bloc’s Preferential Trade Agreement by cutting tariffs, simplifying procedures, and harmonizing documentation.
- Pakistan welcomed Azerbaijan as the ninth D-8 member, describing the expansion as a boost to collective economic strength.
- In a bilateral meeting, Pakistan and Egypt agreed to set up Joint Working Groups to define sector targets, monitor progress, and prepare for a potential ministerial visit to Pakistan.
- Priority areas include textiles, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, ICT, and value-added manufacturing, with proposals for components made in Pakistan, further processing in Egypt, and joint exports to key markets.
- Egypt proposed mutual port access and storage to deepen maritime linkages, requested visa facilitation under the new framework, and both sides highlighted digital collaboration and Pakistan’s focus on critical minerals.