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Pakistan and the Maldives have agreed to increase bilateral trade from $13.9 million to $200 million within two years. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the target during Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s state visit to Pakistan.
The two countries also signed 20 agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs). The pacts aim to expand cooperation in trade, defence, health, education, agriculture, tourism and technology.
The three-day visit marks the first visit by a Maldivian president to Pakistan in 11 years. It also coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations, established in 1966.
Speaking at a ceremony at the Prime Minister’s House, Shehbaz Sharif said both countries had agreed on the ambitious trade target.
“We will do our best jointly to raise this bilateral trade quantum from 13 million dollars to 200 million dollars in the next two years,” he said.
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The prime minister described existing trade worth $13.9 million as far below the countries’ economic potential. He said discussions had covered trade, investment, defence, policing, education and healthcare.
Muizzu endorsed the target and called for stronger economic ties. He said both countries wanted to expand trade, encourage investment and improve connectivity.
The Maldives-Pakistan Business Forum, scheduled for Thursday, is expected to bring business leaders and investors together. The forum aims to identify commercial opportunities and build partnerships.
The two sides signed 20 MoUs covering a broad range of areas. These include information technology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital skills, health, defence and maritime security.
The agreements also cover agriculture, fisheries, tourism, environmental cooperation and technical education.
Other pacts focus on youth and sports development, arts and culture, social protection, narcotics control and air connectivity. The two countries also agreed to strengthen cooperation between Pakistan’s Drug Regulatory Authority and the Maldives Food and Drug Authority.
Several agreements aim to improve institutional links and professional training. These include cooperation between the Maldives Police Service’s National College of Policy and Law Enforcement and Pakistan’s National Police Academy.
The countries also signed agreements involving their civil service commissions and training academies.
A separate agreement links the Maldives State Trading Organisation with the Trading Corporation of Pakistan. It aims to support trade in agricultural commodities, food and other products.
Both leaders witnessed the exchange of the pre-signed documents. Shehbaz Sharif pledged to work with Muizzu to implement the agreements promptly.
“I will be very happy to personally work with you to translate these written MOUs into action with prompt decision-making and speedy implementation,” he said.
Shehbaz Sharif highlighted Pakistan’s contribution to healthcare in the Maldives. He said Pakistani doctors and medical staff were serving communities across the island nation.
“About 250 Pakistani doctors are serving the cause of suffering humanity along with Pakistani paramedics in Maldives and other places in your great country,” he said.
He added that Pakistan was ready to provide more professionals to meet the Maldives’ needs.
Muizzu welcomed plans to expand educational and healthcare cooperation. He said the countries had discussed additional medical placements for Maldivian students under Pakistan’s Technical Assistance Programme.
The two sides also explored internship opportunities in Pakistan for Maldivian medical graduates.
Muizzu said Pakistan had long supported Maldivian students, athletes, coaches and young professionals through scholarships and training.
Both governments also agreed to explore further cooperation in skills development, entrepreneurship, innovation and leadership. Emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and digitalisation, featured in their discussions.
Pakistan will support the Maldives’ plan to plant five million trees during Muizzu’s five-year term.
Shehbaz Sharif announced that Pakistan would provide 100,000 olive cuttings and 100,000 seeds of different plant species. He said the two countries would coordinate the delivery arrangements.
The leaders also discussed conservation, renewable energy, sustainable waste management and climate resilience.
Muizzu said climate change posed a direct threat to the Maldives’ security and development. He welcomed stronger cooperation with Pakistan on environmental challenges.
The prime minister also expressed Pakistan’s willingness to share technical expertise in developing data centres.
He said Pakistan had established data centres with capacities ranging from half a megawatt to 8.5 megawatts.
The two leaders discussed regional and international issues, including Palestine and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination. He called for an independent and sovereign Palestinian state in line with relevant United Nations resolutions.
Muizzu also reiterated the Maldives’ support for Palestinian statehood. He backed a state based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The prime minister briefed Muizzu on Pakistan’s position on Jammu and Kashmir. He reiterated Islamabad’s support for a peaceful settlement in accordance with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
Shehbaz Sharif also raised concerns over India’s decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance. He stressed that international agreements must be respected.
“Legally binding treaties must be respected, and shared water resources must never be weaponised or used as an instrument of political pressure or blackmailing,” he said.
He reiterated Pakistan’s position by declaring, “Water is a red line for Pakistan.”
Muizzu said the visit offered an opportunity to build a new era of partnership after six decades of diplomatic relations.
He thanked Pakistan’s government and people for their hospitality. He also expressed confidence that the agreements would deliver practical benefits to both countries.
The Maldivian president highlighted the importance of cooperation through the United Nations, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and other international forums.
He also called for renewed engagement through the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
“The Maldives remains firmly committed to playing a constructive and proactive role in revitalising SAARC,” he said.
Muizzu added that the Maldives was ready to work with other member states to create conditions for holding the next SAARC Summit.
The two leaders also discussed tourism and direct air links. Muizzu said improved connectivity could create opportunities for tourism and investment.
He highlighted the potential for halal and Muslim-friendly tourism, citing shared values between the two countries.
Earlier, Muizzu received a guard of honour at the Prime Minister’s House. Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the visiting president at a formal reception.
The national anthems of both countries played as the leaders stood at the salute dais. A contingent of the Pakistan Armed Forces then presented the guard of honour.
Muizzu reviewed the contingent before both leaders introduced their respective delegations. They subsequently held one-on-one and delegation-level talks.
The Maldivian president also planted a sapling on the lawns of the Prime Minister’s House.
Muizzu was accompanied by First Lady Sajidha Mohamed and a high-level delegation of cabinet members and senior officials.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also met Muizzu during the visit.
According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, Dar conveyed greetings from President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He welcomed the president and his delegation to Pakistan.
Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening relations with the Maldives. He highlighted trade, investment, education, climate change and tourism as key areas for cooperation.
He also welcomed the Maldivian business delegation’s participation in the bilateral business forum. Dar expressed hope that business-to-business engagements would generate concrete trade and investment opportunities.
The Foreign Office said Muizzu appreciated the welcome and hospitality extended to him and his delegation.
The visit aims to strengthen the longstanding relationship between Pakistan and the Maldives. Both leaders said the priority now was to turn the signed agreements into practical cooperation and economic benefits for their people.
[…] Pakistan, Maldives Set $200 Million Trade Target as 20 MoUs Are Signed […]