Commerce Desk
KARACHI: Mian Zahid Hussain, President of the Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum and former provincial IT minister, welcomed the target set at the October 21 Islamabad meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Maldives’ President Dr Mohamed Muizzu to raise bilateral trade from $13.4 million to $200 million within two years. He also welcomed the signing of 20 agreements and MoUs.
He noted that the Maldives imports over $3.5 billion in goods annually, yet Pakistan’s share is below 1%. By comparison, India’s trade with the Maldives is about $555 million, China’s exceeds $665 million and the UAE’s is around $503 million. He blamed Pakistan’s high cost of doing business for limiting competitiveness.
Zahid said the target requires more than MoUs: a comprehensive implementation plan and lower domestic business costs. He highlighted demand in the Maldives’ tourism sector for halal food, dried fruits, linen, surgical instruments and sports goods, plus construction materials like cement.
He urged direct air, sea and cargo links, easier banking channels, a local-currency settlement mechanism and early conclusion of a free or preferential trade agreement. He also called for activating a joint business council between FPCCI and the Maldives chamber, holding exhibitions and exchanging delegations, saying trade could eventually reach half a billion dollars.
