ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Syria on Sunday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on a joint working group to expand bilateral trade and economic ties, the Pakistani commerce ministry said.
Officials from both countries have recently been discussing expansion of bilateral relations, following a meeting between Syrian Chargé D’ affaires in Islamabad, Mazen Obeid, and Pakistani Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed in September.
Last month, the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) also announced expansion of direct flights to the Syrian capital of Damascus.
The MoU was signed at the office of the Syrian Minister for Economy and Foreign Trade Samer Al-Khalil in Damascus on Sunday. Pakistan’s Ambassador to Syria Air Marshal (retired) Saeed Muhammad Khan inked the document.
“They cited the MoU as an essential document for starting bilateral cooperation in different domains, especially the direct exchange of visits of businessmen from both sides,” Pakistan’s embassy in Damascus said in a statement.
“The two sides discussed various issues relating to exploring and activating venues of bilateral cooperation in the field of commerce and economic exchanges.”
Ambassador Khan said the resumption of direct flights between Pakistan and Syria was “an important step” toward activating bilateral trade and encouraging business delegations from both sides to explore opportunities in various fields.
The Pakistani embassy said the two sides agreed to fix a time for ministers of economy and trade to discuss related issues and exchange views over a webinar.
Pakistan, Syria sign accord to expand trade ties
https://arab.news/m6kd3
Pakistan, Syria sign accord to expand trade ties
- Both sides call the accord an ‘essential document’ for direct visits of businesspersons
- Last month Pakistan International Airlines also announced direct flights to Damascus
Pakistan’s PIA enters into cargo deal with Air France-KLM to boost exports
- As per agreement, PIA’s freight division will gain access to Air France-KLM’s network of European, American cities
- Exporters will be able to use both PIA, Air France–KLM’s networks under a single air waybill, says Pakistani airline
KARACHI: The recently privatized Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) announced on Wednesday that it has entered into a cargo agreement with global aviation group Air France-KLM to expand its global outreach and push Pakistani exports to more international markets.
The PIA said its agreement with Air France-KLM came into force on Jan. 15. Air France-KLM operates in 320 destinations and is a global aviation player in passenger, cargo and maintenance businesses.
As per the agreement, PIA Cargo, the airline’s freight division, will gain access to Air France–KLM’s global network. Through the deal, PIA Cargo will gain access to Air France–KLM’s global network via Dubai, Riyadh and Dammam.
Air France-KLM’s network includes major European cities such as Amsterdam, Paris, Brussels, Frankfurt, Stuttgart and Düsseldorf, and New York, Atlanta and Los Angeles, the PIA said.
“Significant improvement is expected in the exports of Pakistani products and access to global markets,” the PIA said in a statement.
Exporters will be able to use both the PIA’s and Air France–KLM’s networks under a single air waybill, the airline said.
An air waybill is a document used in international air shipping that serves as a legal, non-negotiable contract between the shipper and the airline.
In November 2025, PIA and Biman Bangladesh Airlines signed a Cargo Interline Special Agreement to expand cargo business and augment bilateral trade. The partnership aims to minimize logistical complexities in transporting commodities.
The PIA was Pakistan’s national flag carrier until a Pakistani consortium, led by the Arif Habib Group, secured a 75 percent stake in the airline in December for Rs135 billion ($482 million). Pakistan had previously attempted to reform the debt-ridden airline, which had accumulated more than $2.8 billion in financial losses over the years.
PIA’s new owner Arif Habib announced last week that the airline is in talks with aerospace manufacturers Boeing and Airbus as it plans to revamp service and expand its current fleet.
The PIA has said it plans to increase the airline’s fleet to 64 aircraft from the current figure of 19 over the next eight years.
