Global Rice News

Saudi Commercial Attaché in Pakistan, Mubasher bin Abdullah Al-Shohri, announced on Sunday that officials from the Kingdom were evaluating the progress of the initial Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Pakistan. The FTA, which was agreed upon on September 28 in Riyadh, involves Gulf Cooperation Council member countries and Pakistan. Al-Shohri informed media representatives in Islamabad that a legal committee was reviewing various issues and would develop a comprehensive action plan for the third phase of the agreement. This phase will focus on addressing legal matters and ensuring their proper organization and implementation.

Al-Shohri emphasized the presence of specialized institutions that are facilitating trade between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. These institutions are assessing the opportunities and facilities provided by both countries and strategically utilizing them to boost bilateral trade. He revealed that the trade volume between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan had surged to $16.3 billion between September 2020 and 2023, and expressed optimism that the countries would achieve their goals.

The commercial department at the Saudi Embassy has been working in collaboration with relevant institutions to identify significant opportunities and promote bilateral trade with Pakistan. Al-Shohri stated that Pakistan currently exports meat, vegetables, fruits, and rice to Saudi Arabia, and efforts are underway to increase cooperation in the fields of energy, technology, and information technology. Additionally, more Saudi companies are planning to enter the Pakistani market in the future.

Regarding the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Al-Shohri emphasized the importance of economic corridors for societal development and global trade enhancement. These corridors not only facilitate trade but also provide avenues for more effective aid activities.

Source: [aajenglish.tv](https://www.aajenglish.tv){:rel=nofollow}.