Pakistan is urging Canadian businesses to invest in its agricultural processing sector to help convert raw produce into value-added exports bound for the Middle East and surrounding regional markets.
During a bilateral meeting in Islamabad, Pakistan Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and Canadian High Commissioner Tarik Ali Khan discussed expanding trade partnerships in key agricultural sub-sectors, including dairy development, animal genetics, edible oils, fruit concentrates, and advanced food processing. The initiative supports Pakistan’s strategy to pivot toward export-led economic growth, strengthening cold chain storage, packaging, and international certification to secure sustainable foreign exchange earnings.
Strategic Economic Cooperation
Beyond agriculture, the bilateral discussions spanned several key industrial sectors:
- Mining & Mineral Exploration: A specialized Canadian delegation covering mineral exploration, equipment, and services is scheduled to attend an upcoming investment forum in Pakistan.
- Renewable Energy & Aviation: Plans were reviewed for a proposed hybrid renewable energy project in Jhimpir, Sindh, alongside prospective aviation partnerships involving aircraft leasing.
Finalizing the Investment Protection Agreement (FIPA)
To build investor confidence, both nations are preparing for a new round of negotiations in early October to finalize the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA). Following previous rounds in Islamabad (October 2025) and Ottawa (June 2026), the agreement aims to establish a clear legal framework with binding dispute resolution and arbitration mechanisms to catalyze Canadian investment across Pakistan.
