- Dar, Abdelatty unveil twin platforms to energise trade and investment with Islamabad to shortlist 250-500 top firms for B2B engagements
- Two FMs reaffirm commitment to bring business, trade and investment ties in line with longstanding political goodwill between two countries
- Dar says both nations vow ‘concrete, solid steps’ to boost connectivity and economic cooperation
- First Pakistan–Egypt Business Forum meeting set for Cairo in Q2-2026 while joint ministerial process revived after 14-year hiatus
- Egypt to mirror Pakistan’s business whitelisting process, ease visas, besides Cairo doubles scholarships for Pakistani students in religious studies
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Egypt on Sunday agreed to significantly upgrade their economic partnership with the announcement of a new Pakistan–Egypt Business Council and a Pakistan–Egypt Business Forum, marking the most structured commercial engagement between the two nations in more than a decade.
The decisions were unveiled by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar at a joint press conference with Egypt’s visiting Foreign Minister Dr Badr Ahmed Mohamed Abdelatty, signalling a renewed push to bring business, trade and investment ties in line with the longstanding political goodwill between the two countries.
Dar said the Business Council would institutionalize commercial cooperation, while the Business Forum — to be co-chaired by both foreign ministers — would hold its first meeting in Cairo in the second quarter of 2026. Leading private-sector companies from both countries would be represented, with a clear focus on boosting business-to-business (B2B) linkages.
He noted that despite the deep affection and historic ties between the two states, bilateral trade still hovered around $300 million, far below its potential. To address this gap, Pakistan would share a list of 250 business houses representing key economic sectors, shortlisted through a transparent, merit-based process coordinated with the FPCCI and relevant chambers. These firms would be facilitated to enhance trade and investment engagement with Egypt before being placed on a mutually agreed whitelist. A second batch of 250 companies would be added after six months, raising the total to 500. Egypt, Dar added, would follow a parallel process.
The deputy prime minister/foreign minister said both sides also agreed to ease visa facilitation for businesspeople. He further announced that after a long pause since 2010, senior officials from both foreign ministries would resume bilateral political consultations in the first quarter of next year.
Welcoming Egyptian Foreign Minister Abdelatty’s announcement, Dar appreciated Egypt’s decision to double the number of scholarships for Pakistani students pursuing religious education.
In his remarks, Foreign Minister Abdelatty conveyed heartfelt condolences over the loss of Pakistani lives in recent terrorist attacks and reaffirmed Egypt’s complete solidarity with Pakistan in its fight against terrorism. He described Egypt–Pakistan ties as rooted in shared culture, religion, friendship and mutual respect, noting that the relationship had only strengthened with time.
Abdelatty said the talks focused on expanding cooperation across multiple sectors for the mutual benefit of the two peoples. He highlighted strong convergence of views on regional and international issues, and appreciated Pakistan’s consistent support at multilateral forums. Egypt, he reiterated, remained committed to a two-state solution to the Palestine issue and valued Pakistan’s support for its diplomatic efforts.
Inviting Pakistani companies to explore investment opportunities, the Egyptian minister said both sides were committed to taking “concrete and solid steps” to boost trade, investment and business cooperation. He also stressed the importance of enhancing connectivity initiatives between the two countries to complement the expanding economic partnership.
