ISTANBUL (Special Correspondent) – Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan conducted a series of strategic bilateral meetings with counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Tunisia on 5 November 2026 to bolster economic ties. Held on the sidelines of the 42nd Session of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC) in Istanbul, Türkiye, the discussions emphasized expanding trade, investment, and industrial cooperation across multiple sectors.

Key Points

• Jam Kamal Khan met with officials from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Tunisia to enhance bilateral trade and industrial partnerships.
• Discussions covered cooperation in agriculture, textiles, minerals, and manufacturing sectors to boost mutual economic growth.
• The Minister proposed joint ventures between Pakistani and Saudi companies to explore emerging markets, including African nations.
• Egypt offered Pakistani investors manufacturing opportunities with preferential access to US markets.
• Both Pakistan and Tunisia acknowledged current trade volumes are below potential, pledging closer institutional and private-sector coordination.

Expanding Economic Diplomacy and Industrial Cooperation

The Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan engaged with Mr. Fareed S. Alasaly, Deputy Governor for International Organizations and Agreements of Saudi Arabia, to focus on agricultural and industrial development. Key areas of interest included livestock, food security, and human resource development. Minister Khan underscored the importance of identifying new avenues for joint ventures between Pakistani and Saudi firms, specifically suggesting that businesses from both nations collaborate to tap into new trade prospects in African markets, similar to how Ethiopian Ambassador Invites Pakistani Businesses to Explore African Markets. He further invited the Saudi delegation to the forthcoming FoodAg exhibition in Pakistan to deepen engagement in food-related industries.

Exploring Investment Opportunities with Egypt and Tunisia

In a meeting with the Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade of Egypt, Mr. Mohamed Farid Saleh, the focus shifted to textiles and industrial partnerships. Mr. Saleh highlighted Egypt’s preferential trade arrangements with the United States, suggesting that Pakistani investors could leverage these to access the American market. Furthermore, the Egyptian side expressed a keen interest in facilitating direct B2B engagements during upcoming business forums. Discussions also touched upon educational collaboration, with Egypt promoting opportunities for Pakistani students in medical and engineering fields at competitive costs. Regarding Tunisia, Minister Jam Kamal Khan and H.E. Samir Abid, the Minister of Trade and Export Development, evaluated the currently modest trade volume between the two nations. Both leaders agreed on the necessity for a structured approach to enhance collaboration in auto parts, minerals, and textile manufacturing. By fostering such institutional linkages, Pakistan aims to emulate the success seen in other regional initiatives, such as when the Turkish Ambassador Visits RCCI to Boost Pak-Türkiye Trade Ties. The Minister reiterated that these engagements are part of a broader strategy to diversify export markets and strengthen economic diplomacy across the Middle East and North Africa. For those tracking broader regional initiatives, information on initiatives like the FPCCI Proposes ASEAN Business Visa and Expanded Trade Ties Roadmap demonstrates the government’s continued focus on global commercial expansion.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the primary objective of Jam Kamal Khan’s meetings in Istanbul?

The meetings held on the sidelines of the 42nd COMCEC session aimed to strengthen bilateral economic relations, promote joint ventures, and enhance industrial cooperation in sectors like agriculture, textiles, and minerals.

What specific investment opportunity was identified regarding Egypt?

The Egyptian Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade highlighted Egypt’s preferential trade arrangements with the United States as a key opportunity for Pakistani investors to establish manufacturing operations and access the American market.