Pakistan-Ethiopia Trade: Ministers Discuss WTO Accession and Market Access

ISLAMABAD, November 14: Pakistan and Ethiopia have agreed to strengthen bilateral trade cooperation and work towards resolving outstanding issues involving World Trade Organization (WTO) accession, market access and pharmaceutical regulations.

Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan and Ethiopia’s Minister of Trade and Regional Integration, Yasmin Wohabrebbi, held a high-level virtual meeting on Friday to discuss trade relations and opportunities for greater economic cooperation.

Jam Kamal Khan reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening economic ties with Ethiopia, describing the country as an important gateway to East African markets. Recalling his earlier visit to Ethiopia with a Pakistani business delegation, he appreciated its economic progress and highlighted opportunities for cooperation in manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, textiles and investment.

The commerce minister stressed the need to turn diplomatic engagement into tangible commercial outcomes. He highlighted Pakistan’s efforts to facilitate direct air connectivity with Ethiopia and called for the early resolution of outstanding matters concerning WTO market-access negotiations and pharmaceutical registrations.

Ethiopian Trade Minister Yasmin Wohabrebbi appreciated Pakistan’s engagement and briefed the meeting on progress towards Ethiopia’s WTO accession.

She said 11 of the 17 bilateral market-access agreements had been concluded and sought Pakistan’s cooperation in advancing the remaining accession process while addressing its legitimate trade interests through continued consultations.

Secretary Commerce Jawad Paul emphasised the importance of sustained technical-level coordination between relevant institutions to resolve pending pharmaceutical registration matters, improve market access and advance agreed trade priorities.

He also called for regular follow-up to address regulatory obstacles and encourage greater private-sector participation.

Both ministers discussed strengthening institutional cooperation, including convening the Joint Economic Committee, and preparing a practical roadmap to expand bilateral trade and investment.

They expressed their intention to pursue outstanding matters ahead of their proposed bilateral engagement in February 2027.

Concluding the meeting, Jam Kamal Khan reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening its economic partnership with Ethiopia, saying timely decisions and concrete actions could help unlock trade opportunities between the two countries.

The ambassadors of Pakistan and Ethiopia, Secretary Commerce Jawad Paul and senior officials from both countries also attended the virtual meeting.