After an eight-year hiatus, Pakistan and Vietnam have reactivated their institutional trade dialogue through the 5th Meeting of the Pakistan-Vietnam Joint Trade Committee (JTC), held on Friday in Hanoi.

The high-level session marks a significant step forward in strengthening bilateral economic cooperation between the two countries, according to an official statement issued here. The meeting was co-chaired by Nasir Hamid, Additional Secretary of Commerce, Government of Pakistan, and Ms Phan Thi Thang, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of Vietnam.

A formal signing ceremony of the Agreed Minutes was also held, witnessed by Jam Kamal Khan, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Commerce, and Mr Nguyen Hong Dien, Vietnam’s Minister of Industry and Trade.

During the session, both sides conducted a comprehensive review of the current state of bilateral trade and explored opportunities for expanded cooperation in several key sectors, including trade facilitation, market access, textiles, fisheries, Halal certification, civil aviation, healthcare, and the strengthening of banking channels.

A key outcome of the meeting was the mutual agreement to initiate negotiations on a Pakistan-Vietnam Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) within 2025, aimed at enhancing trade volumes and deepening economic ties. The two nations also emphasized the need to bolster institutional frameworks and private sector engagement to unlock untapped trade potential.

Concluding the meeting, both delegations reaffirmed their commitment to fostering a long-term, mutually beneficial trade relationship. The 6th session of the Joint Trade Committee will be hosted by Pakistan at a date to be decided through mutual consultation.