Pakistan and the Maldives have agreed to increase bilateral trade from around $13.9 million to $200 million within two years, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Wednesday.
The two countries also signed 20 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and agreements to expand cooperation across trade, technology, health, education, defense, agriculture and other sectors.
Speaking alongside Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, Shehbaz said current trade between the two countries represented only a fraction of their economic potential.
Both sides would work toward the target through stronger economic cooperation and effective implementation of the agreements signed during Muizzu’s three day state visit to Pakistan.
The visit marks the first by a Maldivian president to Pakistan in 11 years and coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
20 Agreements Cover Trade, Technology and Defense
The agreements cover information technology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital skills, health, education, social protection, defense, maritime security, agriculture, fisheries, tourism and environmental cooperation.
The two sides also agreed to strengthen collaboration in policing, youth development, sports, air connectivity, arts, culture and heritage.
In trade, the Maldives State Trading Organisation and Pakistan’s Trading Corporation of Pakistan signed an MoU to cooperate in agricultural commodities, food and other products.
Other agreements cover vocational training, the recruitment of health professionals, combating illicit drug trafficking and cooperation between the Maldives Food and Drug Authority and Pakistan’s Drug Regulatory Authority.
Shehbaz said Pakistan was ready to expand medical and professional support according to the Maldives’ needs. He noted that many Maldivian students had studied at Pakistani universities and colleges, particularly in health related fields, while around 250 Pakistani doctors and paramedical staff were serving in the Maldives.
Pakistan also offered technical expertise in information technology and data center development. As part of environmental cooperation, it will provide 100,000 olive cuttings and 100,000 seeds of different plant species to support the Maldives’ plan to plant five million trees.
Maldives Seeks More Trade and Climate Cooperation
Muizzu endorsed the $200 million trade target and said the countries would work to increase trade and investment, improve connectivity and promote tourism.
He said the agreements could create new opportunities in health, education, fisheries, agriculture, technology, policing and defense, but stressed that their success would depend on delivering tangible benefits to people.
The Maldivian president also highlighted plans to expand scholarships, training and professional opportunities for young Maldivians, including cooperation in artificial intelligence, digitalization and emerging technologies.
He welcomed Pakistan’s support for the tree planting initiative and called for closer cooperation on environmental conservation, renewable energy and climate resilience, describing climate change as a direct challenge to the Maldives’ security and future.
The two leaders also discussed regional and international issues.
Shehbaz reiterated Pakistan’s support for Palestinian self-determination and the establishment of an independent, sovereign and contiguous Palestinian state in line with relevant United Nations resolutions.
Muizzu reaffirmed the Maldives’ support for an independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Shehbaz also said the Jammu and Kashmir dispute should be resolved in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
Expressing concern over India’s decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, he said legally binding international agreements must be respected and shared water resources should not be used as political pressure. He warned that Pakistan would regard any violation in this regard as an act of war.
The prime minister congratulated Muizzu on receiving an honorary doctorate from the International Islamic University Islamabad in recognition of his leadership and public service.
Muizzu thanked Pakistan’s leadership and people for their hospitality, saying the visit offered an opportunity to build a new era of partnership on six decades of friendship.
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