Federal Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan, met with the Kenyan High Commissioner on Monday to discuss expanding trade and deepening regional cooperation between Pakistan and the East African Community. The meeting highlighted Pakistan’s strategic position as a gateway for trade between Central Asia and East Africa, reflecting the mutual commitment to enhancing economic ties.
The discussions focused on key sectors such as agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and commodities. Minister Jam Kamal emphasized the potential to diversify trade by importing unique African products like coffee and pineapples. Pakistan, already a major importer of Kenyan tea, expressed interest in expanding trade beyond tea.
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The Kenyan side was invited to explore imports of Pakistani goods, including Himalayan pink salt, marble, and cement. Both nations recognized the growing opportunities in the pharmaceutical sector, which could further bolster bilateral trade.
An important topic of the meeting was the push for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Pakistan and the East African bloc. With banking channels already in place, the minister stressed the need to expedite the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) currently under review by Pakistan’s Law Division. The Kenyan High Commissioner echoed the call for swift progress to unlock greater trade potential.
