Pakistan and Azerbaijan Strengthen Bilateral Trade Ties, Explore New Cooperation Areas

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Mikayil Jabbarov, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Economy, and his delegation on Tuesday, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral trade relations. The discussions centered on expanding cooperation across a variety of sectors, including minerals, oil exploration, renewable energy, information technology, infrastructure development, defense, tourism, and human resource development.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister extended a warm welcome to the Azerbaijani delegation and conveyed his best wishes to President Ilham Aliyev.

Reviewing the progress of the agreements signed during his recent visit to Azerbaijan, Prime Minister Sharif highlighted the vast investment opportunities available in Pakistan, particularly in sectors such as oil exploration, mining, and regional infrastructure development. He also lauded the efforts of Azerbaijan in enhancing the beautification of Islamabad, following the twin city declaration between Islamabad and Baku.

Both parties expressed satisfaction with the progress in renewable energy projects, including the White Oil Pipeline and the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic’s (SOCAR) investments in Pakistan. Discussions also focused on increasing collaboration in infrastructure development, promoting trade through the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), and improving governance through the establishment of one-window facilitation centers.

Prime Minister Sharif reiterated the goal of increasing bilateral trade to $2 billion and expressed confidence that Azerbaijan’s continued investment in Pakistan would play a key role in achieving this target.

Minister Jabbarov thanked Pakistan for its hospitality and expressed Azerbaijan’s keen interest in expanding trade and cooperation. He also shared updates on Azerbaijan’s ongoing and potential future investments in Pakistan, particularly in the energy and infrastructure sectors.

The meeting was attended by key officials from both sides, including Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Ministers, senior government representatives, and Azerbaijani diplomats. The high-level discussions further strengthened the bilateral relationship between the two countries, paving the way for future economic collaborations.