As-salamu alaykum - Pakistan aims to turn strong ties with Saudi, UAE, China into more trade and investment
As-salamu alaykum - Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Tuesday that Islamabad should make the most of its long-standing friendships with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, China and the US to boost trade and attract more investment for steady economic growth.
Pakistan has been trying to convert its historic brotherly relations with Gulf partners and regional allies like China and Saudi Arabia into real trade and investment opportunities. Recently, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia agreed to start an Economic Cooperation Framework to deepen economic links after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh.
Over the years, Saudi Arabia, China and the UAE have often supported Pakistan through financial guarantees to the IMF, by rolling over large loans and by providing oil on deferred payments. Still, the government has been clear that it wants these friendly ties to become mutually beneficial partnerships as Pakistan works to recover from a long macroeconomic squeeze.
“Our traditional partners who have helped us through thick and thin - whether it’s China, the US, or the GCC, especially Saudi Arabia and the UAE - are relationships we should now leverage to move from government-to-government talks to real trade and investment coming into the country,” Aurangzeb said.
He made these remarks at the Pakistan International Maritime Expo and Conference (PIMEC) in Karachi. The event’s second edition, running Nov. 3–6, will host many local and international exhibitors and delegates.
On the blue economy, Aurangzeb called it a potential game changer for Pakistan and said it could grow to $100 billion by 2047. He affirmed the government’s focus on steady policy, easing investment, and sustainable maritime development.
Currently, Pakistan’s maritime sector accounts for only about 0.4–0.5% of GDP (roughly $1 billion), but the minister said there is vast room to expand. He stressed improving fisheries and aquaculture with better processing, modern cold-chain logistics, and hygiene standards aligned with international practice. Aurangzeb believes seafood exports, now near $500 million, could reach $2 billion in three to four years under the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy.
May Allah grant success to efforts that bring prosperity and benefit to the nation.
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