ISLAMABAD, Aug 12 (APP):Pakistan and Belarus on Wednesday signed protocol of the 9th Session of the Pakistan-Belarus Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) on Trade and Economic Cooperation, along with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on media cooperation, aimed at strengthening bilateral trade and investment ties and enhancing institutional and media collaboration between the two countries. The JMC was held from August 11 to 12, and co-chaired by Minister for Commerce Jam …
Pakistan, Belarus sign JMC protocol, media MoU to deepen bilateral cooperation
ISLAMABAD, Aug 12 (APP):Pakistan and Belarus on Wednesday signed protocol of the 9th Session of the Pakistan-Belarus Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) on Trade and Economic Cooperation, along with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on media cooperation, aimed at strengthening bilateral trade and investment ties and enhancing institutional and media collaboration between the two countries.
The JMC was held from August 11 to 12, and co-chaired by Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan and Minister of Energy of the Republic of Belarus Dzianis Maroz, said a news release.
In his opening remarks, Jam Kamal reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong commitment to its longstanding relationship with Belarus, rooted in mutual trust, sovereign equality and shared interests.
The minister highlighted that JMC remained a cornerstone of the bilateral partnership, providing an important platform to strengthen cooperation across diverse sectors.
In view of the evolving global landscape, the minster highlighted the need to explore new avenues of growth, diversify markets and identify opportunities that could deliver measurable and tangible benefits for the institutions and peoples of both countries.
Dzianis Maroz appreciated the warm reception and constructive discussions with Government of Pakistan counterparts. Noting the positive momentum in bilateral economic relations and the potential for both countries to complement each other, the Belarus Co-Chair reaffirmed Belarus’s readiness to support and expand cooperation across diverse sectors and welcomed the development of new initiatives to further advance bilateral ties.
Secretary, Economic Affairs Division Muhammad Humir Karim Kidwai briefed the meeting on progress in implementing decisions of the 8th JMC and the outcomes of the technical session of the 9th JMC.
Both sides appreciated the establishment of a Joint Working Group on Trade to identify new opportunities, address trade-related issues and strengthen coordination between the two sides.
The two sides agreed to establish a Joint Feasibility Study Group to examine the prospects of a bilateral trade agreement on services and appreciated the work of the Joint Feasibility Study Group on the Pakistan-Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement and its recommendation to move towards negotiations in accordance with the directions of the ministers of trade of both sides.
In area of Industrial cooperation, the continued bilateral engagement was reaffirmed to promote technology transfer and industrial collaboration, particularly through stronger cooperation between small and medium enterprises.
The Pakistani side expressed its readiness to facilitate the deployment of Pakistani workforce through a structured and mutually agreed mechanism. It was added this initiative would not only benefit the Belarusian economy but also provide meaningful livelihoods to the Pakistani youth.
Agriculture was reaffirmed as a sector with strong potential for expanding bilateral trade and investment. Both countries agreed to facilitate online B2B sessions covering seafood, fruits, vegetables, seeds and dairy products.
It was further agreed to enhance participation in agricultural exhibitions, food fairs and reciprocal business delegations to foster partnerships, investment and knowledge exchange.
In the field of science and technology, Pakistan proposed initiating work towards a Mutual Recognition Agreement under the existing MoU between the State Committee for Standardization of the Republic of Belarus and the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority.
The proposed arrangement would support mutual recognition of standards, testing and conformity assessment procedures and help facilitate bilateral trade. Belarus also proposed exploring cooperation in emerging technologies, including water conservation, solid waste management and wastewater treatment technologies.
The Co-Chairs signed the agreed Minutes/Protocol of the 9th Session, formalizing the decisions and understandings reached during the two-day deliberations.
A MoU between the National State Television and Radio Company of the Republic of Belarus and Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV), which will provide a framework for enhanced cooperation in broadcasting, content exchange and professional engagement between the media institutions of the two countries was also signed.
Concluding the JMC, the Co-Chairs appreciated the constructive engagement and dedicated efforts of the delegations of both countries in advancing the bilateral economic partnership.
They noted that the session had provided an important platform for reviewing progress, resolving outstanding issues and identifying practical avenues for expanding cooperation across multiple sectors.
The Co-Chairs particularly welcomed the growing engagement between the two countries’ institutions and expressed confidence that the decisions reached during the session would contribute to increased bilateral trade and investment, stronger business-to-business linkages, enhanced connectivity and greater cooperation in emerging areas of mutual interest.
