ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Friday agreed to streamline trade processes for petroleum products and food supplies as the ongoing conflict in Iran disrupts global energy markets and shipping routes following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The virtual meeting between Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi comes as Islamabad ramps up efforts to secure fuel flows and boost food exports to Gulf markets facing supply constraints due to the Middle East crisis.
Last month, Pakistan approved export of 40 food items, including meat, dairy products, fruits and vegetables, via air and sea routes to the region without additional charges, while directing ports to prioritize oil-carrying vessels and expand transshipment capacity to ease pressure on disrupted shipping lanes.
“Federal Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan, held a productive virtual meeting with Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade of the United Arab Emirates, to discuss ongoing trade cooperation and regional economic collaboration,” a commerce ministry statement said after the meeting between the two ministers.
“The discussion covered key sectors including petroleum products, food, and other high-demand commodities, with both sides agreeing to streamline processes for exporters and traders,” it added.
Last week, UAE Consul General Bakheet Ateeq Alremaithi met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss delivery of food items to the Gulf state amid mounting tensions in the Middle East.
Sharif assured him of his country’s full cooperation, saying special attention would be paid to the delivery of food items including vegetables, fruits, meat and other essential goods.
The UAE is one of Pakistan’s key trading partners and a major destination for its food exports, while also serving as a critical hub for energy trade and transshipment in the Gulf.
Both sides agreed to maintain close coordination, with technical teams expected to meet next week to address logistical and operational bottlenecks and explore further opportunities for bilateral trade.
