By The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan and Belarus have agreed to expand bilateral economic cooperation across multiple sectors following a series of high-level meetings in Islamabad this week, including the 9th Session of the Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) on Trade and Economic Cooperation.

The two-day JMC, co-chaired by Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan and Belarusian Minister of Energy Dzianis Maroz, concluded with the signing of a protocol formalizing cooperation in trade, industry, agriculture, banking, labor, transport, and energy. Both sides also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on media cooperation between Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) and Belarusian state media.

During the JMC, Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to deepening ties with Belarus, rooted in "mutual trust, sovereign equality and shared interests" . The Belarusian side noted the positive momentum in bilateral economic relations and expressed readiness to support and expand cooperation across diverse sectors.

Key outcomes included the establishment of a Joint Working Group on Trade to identify new opportunities and address trade-related issues, as well as a Joint Feasibility Study Group to examine prospects for a bilateral trade agreement on services. Discussions also covered progress toward a potential free trade arrangement between Pakistan and the Eurasian Economic Union.

In agriculture, both sides agreed to facilitate online B2B sessions covering seafood, fruits, vegetables, seeds, and dairy products, while enhancing participation in agricultural exhibitions and food fairs. Pakistan also proposed establishing a universal agricultural machinery testing facility with Belarusian technical and financial support.

The Belarusian delegation, led by Minister Maroz, separately met with Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb to discuss avenues for strengthening economic cooperation. The Finance Minister highlighted the importance of expanding commercial ties and investment flows to support growing bilateral engagement.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also received the Belarusian delegation at the Prime Minister's House, recalling President Alexander Lukashenko's visit to Islamabad in November 2024 and his own visit to Belarus in April 2025, which further strengthened bilateral ties . Both sides expressed confidence that the outcomes of the JMC would translate into tangible benefits for both nations.

The Belarusian delegation, which arrived in Islamabad on August 11, included Ambassador Andrei Metelitsa, First Deputy Minister of Industry Viktor Shchetko, and officials from the National Bank of Belarus