Pakistan and Tajikistan are on the verge of finalising a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), a pivotal move aimed at liberalising trade and potentially elevating bilateral commerce to three hundred million dollars in the coming years.
According to an official report on Sunday, during a joint interactive session with Pakistani media, Ambassador Muhammad Saeed Sarwar underscored that the agreement is crucial for fostering wider regional economic integration, noting that Central Asian republics like Tajikistan are of vital importance to Pakistan.
The ambassador highlighted specific opportunities for growth, pointing to the halal meat sector where Pakistan plans to export 143,000 tons valued at 14.5 million dollars to Tajikistan, significantly expanding commerce in halal products.
To support this expanding trade, Ambassador Sarwar also stressed the need for effective marketing and proactive travel agents to ensure the regular and sustained operation of direct flights between the two nations.
The burgeoning relationship extends beyond trade, with officials revealing an impending Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focused on academic and educational ties. First Deputy Minister of Education and Science, Hoshimzoda Homid Hasan, announced that the two countries have agreed to the MoU to facilitate student and faculty exchanges.
Speaking to a visiting delegation of Pakistani journalists, the deputy minister stated the agreement aims to deepen links in medical science and education. He commended the Avicenna Tajik State Medical University for its pivotal role in strengthening the bilateral relationship.
Hoshimzoda described institutional cooperation as a shared governmental vision to expand collaboration in medical tourism and sciences, which is anticipated to foster further economic growth. This commitment is echoed by the Pakistani envoy, who affirmed the Embassy”s dedication to advancing academic links.
The Tajik official concluded by noting that the top leadership in both nations is committed to cultivating people-to-people connections, which he described as vital for creating enduring bilateral relations.