ISLAMABAD, Nov 30 (Alliance News): Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Sunday announced that Pakistan and Egypt had agreed to establish a Pakistan-Egypt Business Council to institutionalize cooperation and promote mutually beneficial commercial activities and business-to-business engagement.
Speaking at a joint press conference with visiting Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr. Badr Ahmed Mohamed Abdelatty, he said a Pakistan-Egypt Business Forum would also be set up, co-chaired by both foreign ministers, with its first meeting scheduled for the second quarter of 2026 in Cairo.
Dar said leading businesses from both countries would be included in these platforms as part of efforts to upscale B2B cooperation, noting that current bilateral trade of around $300 million fell short of the depth and warmth of the two nations’ relations.
He said Pakistan would share a list of 250 business houses representing key economic sectors, selected transparently through the involvement of the FPCCI and relevant chambers.
These businesses would be facilitated in expanding trade and investment, with a similar list to be prepared by Egypt.
After due diligence, both sides would update and expand the lists to a total of 500 business entities within six months. He added that visa facilities would also be enhanced for businesspeople from both countries.
The DPM/FM said that after a long gap since 2010, both sides had decided to resume their joint ministerial meeting, and senior officials from the foreign ministries would hold bilateral political consultations in the first quarter of next year.
He also welcomed Egypt’s decision to double scholarships for Pakistani students seeking religious education.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Abdelatty extended condolences over recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan and reaffirmed Egypt’s solidarity in the fight against terrorism.
He said Egypt and Pakistan enjoyed deep-rooted ties based on culture, religion, friendship and shared perspectives on regional and global issues.
Their meeting, he said, focused on strengthening cooperation across all sectors for the mutual benefit of both peoples.
He appreciated Pakistan’s continued support at multilateral forums and reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to a two-state solution for Palestine, lauding Pakistan’s backing of Egypt’s efforts.
Abdelatty invited Pakistani businesses to explore new avenues of investment and stressed the need to enhance connectivity initiatives between the two countries.
Both sides reiterated their resolve to take concrete steps to boost trade, investment and business cooperation.
