Pakistan, Bahrain seek $1bn trade boost

Pakistan and Bahrain have agreed to step up efforts to expand bilateral trade and strengthen economic cooperation as senior officials from both countries held a high-level meeting in Islamabad.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani co-chaired the third session of the Pakistan-Bahrain Joint Ministerial Commission.

Al Zayani arrived in Pakistan on Wednesday for a two-day visit. His visit includes discussions on trade, investment and broader bilateral cooperation.

Speaking during the commission’s session, Dar recalled the two countries’ earlier target of increasing bilateral trade to $1 billion. He said the goal was to double trade within three years, noting that one year of the period had already passed.

Dar acknowledged the challenging international environment while expressing the hope that the target could still be achieved.

Before the JMC session, Dar held a separate meeting with his Bahraini counterpart at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The two sides reviewed bilateral relations and welcomed what they described as positive momentum in high-level contacts.

The discussions focused particularly on expanding trade, investment and economic ties. The ministers also considered greater cooperation through international and multilateral forums.

Regional and international developments were also discussed. Both sides emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in addressing regional challenges and resolving disputes.

The broader JMC agenda includes cooperation in trade, investment, economic development, defence and security, labour and manpower, as well as cultural exchanges.

Pakistan and Bahrain maintain longstanding relations based on shared values, mutual respect and strong people-to-people connections. Islamabad has been seeking greater economic engagement with Bahrain as part of efforts to expand trade and investment opportunities.

Dar had earlier chaired an inter-ministerial meeting to review preparations for the Bahraini foreign minister’s visit and directed relevant ministries to pursue concrete outcomes from the JMC discussions.

The two foreign ministers had also met in September on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Their discussions included bilateral relations, preparations for the JMC and regional developments.

The previous session of the Pakistan-Bahrain Joint Ministerial Commission was held in Manama in July 2021. The two countries subsequently signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at promoting business and commercial ties.

Pakistan and Bahrain established the JMC in 2014 to provide a formal platform for strengthening cooperation across multiple sectors.