Pakistan Ethiopia Trade Talks Target Market Access
Pakistan Ethiopia trade talks have produced pledges to resolve market access issues, speed up Ethiopia’s accession to the World Trade Organisation and fix delays in pharmaceutical registrations. The pledges came in a high-level virtual meeting between the two countries’ trade ministers on Friday.
Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan met Ethiopia’s Minister of Trade and Regional Integration Yasmin Wohabrebbi to discuss strengthening bilateral trade. The Express Tribune reported the virtual meeting on Sunday. Both sides agreed to turn diplomatic goodwill into practical commercial results.
What the ministers agreed
The federal minister stressed the need for translating diplomatic goodwill into tangible commercial outcomes. He pointed to Pakistan’s efforts to arrange direct air connectivity with Ethiopia and called for the early resolution of outstanding issues in WTO market-access talks and pharmaceutical registrations.
Wohabrebbi briefed the meeting on progress towards Ethiopia’s accession to the WTO. She said 11 out of 17 bilateral market-access agreements had been concluded and sought Pakistan’s cooperation in finishing the remaining work, while addressing Pakistan’s legitimate trade interests through continued talks.
Secretary Commerce Jawad Paul underlined the need for steady technical-level coordination between the institutions of both countries. He said regular follow-up talks were needed to remove regulatory hurdles and encourage greater private-sector engagement.
Both ministers also discussed institutional cooperation, including a meeting of the Joint Economic Committee and a practical roadmap to expand bilateral trade and investment. They agreed to pursue the outstanding matters before a proposed bilateral engagement in February 2027.
Why the Pakistan Ethiopia trade talks matter
Trade between the two countries is still small. Feature Pakistan reported earlier this month that Ethiopia had invited Pakistani investors to visit, with a business delegation planned for January 24 to 29, 2027. The two-way trade figures reported then stood at $5.1 million and $14.5 million, a total of under $20 million.
That leaves plenty of room to grow. Ethiopia is Africa’s second most populous country, with more than 120 million people. For Pakistani exporters, it offers a new market in a large and growing economy. For Ethiopia, Pakistan offers a gateway to South Asian buyers.
Direct air connectivity would help. At present, traders must route goods and travel through third countries, which adds cost and time. A direct link would make business trips and cargo movement far simpler.
The pharmaceutical issue matters too. Pakistani drug makers want their products registered in Ethiopia, but regulatory delays have held them back. Faster registration would open a large market for an industry that already exports across Africa and Asia.
Part of a wider regional push
The Ethiopia talks fit a wider pattern of Pakistan reaching out to new trade partners. Foreign ministers and senior officials from ECO states are meeting in Islamabad this weekend for the 30th ECO Council of Ministers meeting, chaired by Ishaq Dar, with trade and connectivity on the agenda.
Pakistan has also deepened defence and economic cooperation with Uzbekistan, after the air chief met Uzbek defence officials in Tashkent. And the prime minister has pursued new economic partnerships abroad, including a trade and investment partnership with the United Kingdom.
The Ethiopia track is smaller than those, but it follows the same logic. Pakistan wants more markets for its goods, more partners for its businesses and fewer barriers at the border.
What happens next
Both sides will hold follow-up talks at technical level before the proposed bilateral engagement in February 2027. The Joint Economic Committee is expected to meet, and officials will work on a roadmap to expand trade and investment.
The test will be whether the pledges turn into results. Market-access agreements, air links and drug registrations all need action by officials on both sides, not just words in a virtual meeting.
Frequently asked questions
Who held the Pakistan Ethiopia trade talks?
Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan and Ethiopia’s Minister of Trade and Regional Integration Yasmin Wohabrebbi, in a virtual meeting on Friday.
What did they agree to resolve?
Market-access issues, Ethiopia’s WTO accession talks and delays in pharmaceutical registrations.
How much of Ethiopia’s WTO market-access work is done?
Eleven out of 17 bilateral market-access agreements have been concluded.
How big is Pakistan Ethiopia trade now?
It is still small. The two-way figures reported earlier this month stood at $5.1 million and $14.5 million, a total of under $20 million.
What happens next?
Technical-level follow-up talks will take place before a proposed bilateral engagement in February 2027, and the Joint Economic Committee is expected to meet.
