Islamabad: Pakistan and Egypt have agreed to enhance cooperation in the maritime and industrial sectors, paving the way for joint ventures and initiatives aimed at strengthening their blue economies and regional trade links.
The understanding was reached during a meeting between Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry and Egypt’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr. Ihab Mohamed Abdelhamid Hassan, held in Islamabad on Wednesday.
During the meeting, both sides discussed opportunities for collaboration in port development, shipping, logistics, and industrial projects. They also emphasized the importance of leveraging the blue economy as a driver of sustainable growth, connectivity, and investment.
Minister Junaid Chaudhry reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to improving regional connectivity through an integrated network of roads, railways, and sea routes. He noted that enhanced maritime cooperation with Egypt could strengthen links with Central Asian states and East African countries.
Outlining Pakistan’s broader trade diplomacy goals, the minister proposed the establishment of “Pakistan Houses” in Africa, Central Asia, and Egypt to promote business partnerships and investment. He added that Pakistan would also welcome similar initiatives from other nations to boost bilateral collaboration.
Ambassador Dr. Ihab Hassan welcomed Pakistan’s proposals and offered Egypt’s support in sharing expertise in maritime management, particularly in the operation of free zones linked to the Suez Canal. He said Egypt was ready to assist Pakistan in developing comparable frameworks and joint ventures within its maritime sector.
The envoy also praised the quality and competitiveness of Pakistani exports — including spices, pharmaceuticals, leather goods, wooden crafts, and rice — expressing optimism that bilateral trade between the two countries would continue to grow.
Both sides concluded that deeper cooperation in maritime and industrial development would not only strengthen Pakistan–Egypt relations but also contribute to greater regional integration across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
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