Maldives and Pakistan have set a target to raise bilateral trade from roughly $13 million to $200 million within two years, with the agreement reached during President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s three-day state visit to Islamabad.
The visit, the first by a Maldivian president to Pakistan in 11 years, coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations established in 1966. At a joint press appearance, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the current trade volume as far below the two countries’ potential and said both sides would work through enhanced economic cooperation and implementation of the new agreements.
President Muizzu endorsed the target and noted that a business forum scheduled for the following day would bring together investors and private-sector representatives. He said the 20 memoranda of understanding and agreements exchanged would open avenues in health, education, fisheries, agriculture, youth development, tourism, information technology, policing and defence.
The documents cover defence and maritime security cooperation, information technology, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, healthcare professional recruitment, agriculture, fisheries, air connectivity, environmental cooperation, social protection and technical training, among other areas. Officials from both countries witnessed the exchange at the Prime Minister’s residence.
Muizzu thanked the Pakistani leadership for the hospitality and said the visit offered an opportunity to build a new phase of partnership on six decades of friendship. He also referred to the importance of regional cooperation, reiterating interest in the revival of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), which has been inactive since 2014 amid tensions between India and Pakistan.
Pakistan has long maintained defence and training links with the Maldives, including earlier understandings on expanding opportunities for Maldivian military personnel. Both sides indicated that the next step is to convert the signed understandings into concrete projects and benefits for the public.
The state visit continues until 22 October, with further engagements expected between the delegations.
