Pakistan & Canada Expand Ties: Trade, Investment, Security

Islamabad, Jul 20 (PTI) Pakistan and Canada should expand their ties in the areas of trade, investment, agriculture, including agri-foods and vaccine manufacturing, renewable energy, as well as the automobile and auto parts industry, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Monday.

Sharif made the comments as the two countries inked an agreement to regulate the import of Canola to Pakistan following talks between Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his Canadian counterpart Anita Anand.

Anand, who is on an official visit to Pakistan, called on Prime Minister Sharif at the Prime Minister House.

PM Sharif told Anand that the two countries enjoyed friendly ties that needed to be further expanded, particularly in the areas of trade, investment, agriculture, including agri-foods and vaccine manufacturing, renewable energy, as well as the automobile and auto parts industry, the PM Office said.

He conveyed his greetings and best wishes to Prime Minister Mark Carney and said that he looked forward to meeting him soon. He recalled the telephone conversation with his Canadian counterpart in April, and thanked Canada for supporting Pakistan's regional peace efforts.

Anand expressed her government's keen desire to explore new opportunities for trade and cooperation, especially in the field of agriculture, mining, energy as well as in the auto and auto parts industry.


The two sides also agreed to exchange delegations in the fields of trade and minerals cooperation, to explore mutually beneficial opportunities, with a view to further enhance bilateral trade and investment prospects.

After the meeting, PM Sharif witnessed the signing of a Protocol on Phyto-sanitary regulations governing the import of Canola from Canada to Pakistan.

She also called on Field Marshal Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff & Chief of Defence Forces, at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi and discussed matters of mutual interest, regional security and bilateral relations between Pakistan and Canada, the army said in a statement.

Field Marshal Munir highlighted "Pakistan's perspective on global peace and regional stability, underscoring the importance of cooperation and collaborative efforts to address common security challenges".

Both sides reiterated their resolve to further strengthen bilateral ties and expand engagements in defence and security, it added.

Separately, Anand met Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and the two sides agreed to expedite the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest.