Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan held a virtual meeting with South Korea’s Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo to review progress on bilateral trade relations and advance negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
The meeting was also attended by Secretary Commerce Jawad Paul and senior officials from both countries.
At the outset, the Korean minister praised Pakistan’s diplomatic role in promoting peace in the Middle East, stating that its efforts were beneficial not only for the region but for global stability. He also recalled his previous visits to Pakistan, including Lahore, describing them as welcoming and memorable.
In response, Jam Kamal Khan appreciated the remarks and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to supporting dialogue and regional peace, emphasizing that stability remains essential for global trade, energy security, and economic connectivity.
Both sides held detailed discussions on CEPA negotiations and agreed to accelerate technical-level engagement with the aim of concluding the agreement within a mutually agreed timeframe. They stressed that the deal should be balanced, ambitious, and reflective of each country’s economic priorities.
The Pakistani side highlighted key sectors with strong export potential, including agriculture, mining, textiles, pharmaceuticals, surgical instruments, and sports goods. The minister said Pakistan’s geographic position offers it the potential to serve as a trade gateway to Central Asia and Africa.
The South Korean side noted growing interest from Korean companies in investing in Pakistan, particularly in manufacturing and energy, and said a structured framework like CEPA would strengthen investor confidence.
Jam Kamal Khan assured that concerns raised by Korean firms operating in Pakistan would be addressed through coordination with relevant ministries and reiterated the government’s commitment to a stable business environment for foreign investment.
Both countries also agreed to revive the Joint Trade Committee to ensure regular institutional dialogue and effective follow-up on trade-related matters.
The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both sides expressing optimism about expanding economic cooperation and strengthening long-term trade and investment ties between Pakistan and South Korea.