Pakistan asked Qatar to support early signature of its Gulf Cooperation Council free trade agreement during talks in Doha. The two sides also discussed rice supplies, meat-export restrictions and investment opportunities. Pakistan says its domestic approval is complete; proposed food arrangements and technical working groups remain part of the follow-up process.
Pakistan and Qatar held their second joint task force meeting on trade and investment in Doha on October 24. Pakistan’s commerce minister Jam Kamal Khan and Qatar’s minister of state for foreign trade affairs Ahmad bin Mohammed Al-Sayed chaired the meeting. Pakistan sought Qatar’s support for early signature of the proposed Gulf Cooperation Council free trade agreement.[1], [2]
Pakistan said it had completed domestic approval of the trade agreement and forwarded the approved text to the Gulf secretariat. It also requested removal of restrictions on bone-in meat exports, saying it had shared a technical dossier on animal health and food safety with Qatar. A proposed government-to-government rice arrangement between the Trading Corporation of Pakistan, a state trading body, and Qatari food investor Hassad Food has been submitted to Pakistan’s cabinet.[1]
Pakistan invited investment in grain storage, silos, cold storage and agricultural technology. Discussions also covered new energy vehicles, joint production, digital infrastructure and shipping. The parties considered activating 11 technical working groups, covering areas from logistics to education. Pakistan said it had selected its members and requested Qatari appointments. Pakistan is to host the next joint task force meeting.[1]
