Pakistan and the United States have made progress in negotiations on a proposed bilateral trade agreement, with both sides agreeing to continue discussions on outstanding technical issues, Pakistan’s Commerce Division said on Tuesday.
Commerce Secretary Jawad Paul said negotiations had advanced, although some provisions still required further discussions with the Office of the United States Trade Representative. No final agreement has been announced.
The development followed a meeting between Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A. Baker in Islamabad on October 20. The discussions focused on expanding trade, investment, and economic cooperation between the two countries.
Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Commerce and Industry Rana Ihsan Afzal Khan also attended the meeting.
Pakistan Seeks US Market Access for Mangoes and Dates
Pakistan pushed for better access to the American market for its agricultural products, particularly mangoes and dates.
Pakistani officials urged US inspection teams to speed up visits required for mango exports. They also highlighted opportunities to export dates from Balochistan to the United States, potentially opening new markets for local farmers and exporters.
The US delegation said it would coordinate with relevant authorities to address market-access issues affecting Pakistani agricultural products.
The two sides also discussed increasing Pakistan’s imports of American cotton and soybeans, along with opportunities to expand trade financing.
US Companies Invited to Invest in Pakistan
Jam Kamal invited American companies to invest in Pakistan’s agriculture and industrial sectors, highlighting opportunities in modern farming, food processing, and cold-chain infrastructure.
He also invited US businesses to participate in FoodAg 2026, scheduled for November 23 to 26 in Karachi.
The minister highlighted the potential to develop value-added products from Balochistan, particularly dates and olive oil. Investment in processing and storage facilities could help Pakistani producers improve product quality and expand their presence in international markets.
Minerals and mining were also discussed, with the US delegation expressing interest in greater investment and technical cooperation in Pakistan’s mineral sector.
Jam Kamal identified Hub in Balochistan as a potential destination for manufacturing, industrial investment, and special economic zones.
Pakistan, US Discuss Regional Trade Routes
The meeting also covered regional trade connectivity and difficulties affecting overland routes to Afghanistan and Central Asian markets.
Paul emphasized the importance of reliable transport corridors and efficient logistics to support Pakistan’s exports.
Baker expressed interest in expanding cooperation with Pakistan in trade, agriculture, technology, and investment.
Both sides agreed to continue negotiations, work on market-access barriers, and strengthen institutional engagement. However, the proposed bilateral trade agreement remains under discussion, with its final terms yet to be settled.
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