Pakistan and the Maldives set a two-year goal to raise bilateral trade to $200 million as President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met in Islamabad on Oct. 21.
Pakistan’s Press Information Department (PID) said the target is to increase trade from $13.4 million to $200 million within two years. The two leaders were present as officials exchanged 20 memorandums of understanding (MoUs), PID said.
The documents address defense, maritime security, fisheries, tourism, education, health and technology. One sets a framework for trade between the Maldives’ State Trading Organisation (STO) and the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP), covering agricultural goods, food and other products, the Maldives President’s Office said.
Pakistan also announced 20 additional undergraduate scholarships each year for Maldivian students and said it was prepared to provide essential food and pharmaceutical products. The leaders called for better air and maritime links and prompt implementation of the MoUs, PID said.
The state visit runs from Oct. 20 to 22, according to Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). It coincides with 60 years of diplomatic relations and is the first visit to Pakistan by a Maldivian president in 11 years, PID said. The agreements advance the visit’s trade and maritime security agenda, which had been outlined before Muizzu arrived.
The governments have presented the effort as a way to create opportunities for people in both countries. Muizzu pointed to potential in trade, investment and connectivity in his remarks about bilateral ties.
Muizzu said the Maldives-Pakistan Business Forum was scheduled for Oct. 22 to bring together business leaders, investors and innovators.
