Pakistan, New Zealand seek stronger trade, investment and education ties
WELLINGTON: Pakistan and New Zealand have agreed to intensify bilateral economic and commercial cooperation, with agriculture, livestock, information technology, education and services identified as key areas offering greater potential for collaboration.
The understanding was reached during a series of high-level meetings held in Wellington on August 6, where officials from both countries reviewed the state of bilateral relations and discussed measures to expand trade and investment ties.
According to a statement issued by Pakistan’s Foreign Office on Saturday, the discussions placed particular emphasis on improving market access and developing practical avenues for cooperation in sustainable agriculture. The two sides also explored the possibility of technical collaboration in areas such as wool production and plant protection.
The meetings included the 5th round of Pakistan-New Zealand Political Consultations and the 3rd meeting of the Pakistan-New Zealand Joint Trade Committee (JTC). The talks provided both sides with an opportunity to assess existing cooperation and identify new sectors for mutually beneficial economic engagement.
The Pakistani delegation at the Joint Trade Committee meeting was headed by Commerce Secretary Jawad Paul Khawaja, while the New Zealand side was led by Grahame Morton.
Officials also examined ways to strengthen institutional arrangements that could facilitate closer economic cooperation between the two countries. Improving trade relations and creating a stronger framework for investment were among the areas discussed during the engagement.
The political consultations were co-chaired by Ambassador Dr Syed Ali Asad Gillani, Additional Foreign Secretary for Asia Pacific at Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Grahame Morton, Deputy Secretary of the Americas and Asia Group at New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
During the consultations, the two delegations conducted a broad review of Pakistan-New Zealand relations and discussed opportunities to expand cooperation in several fields.
These included economic development, science and technology, education, counterterrorism, efforts against transnational crime, high-level exchanges and people-to-people contacts.
The officials also discussed regional and global developments and agreed on the importance of maintaining closer coordination at multilateral forums.
Pakistan briefed New Zealand on its position regarding developments in the Middle East, including Islamabad’s efforts to help reduce tensions and promote peace. The Pakistani delegation also shared its assessment of the regional situation in South Asia, including developments concerning Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and Pakistan’s concerns over India’s actions relating to the Indus Waters Treaty.
According to the Foreign Office, Morton acknowledged Pakistan’s constructive contribution to efforts aimed at promoting peace in the Middle East.
Education cooperation gains momentum
One of the major outcomes of the engagement was the signing of an Education Cooperation Arrangement between Pakistan and New Zealand.
The agreement is expected to provide a foundation for closer cooperation in education and create opportunities for greater institutional engagement between the two countries.
Education was also discussed as an important component of broader people-to-people relations, alongside science, technology and skills development.
The latest consultations come as both countries seek to build on existing bilateral ties and diversify areas of cooperation. Agriculture and livestock, in particular, offer opportunities for technical exchanges and knowledge sharing, while the growing importance of information technology and services could provide additional avenues for economic collaboration.
The two sides also stressed the need to translate discussions into practical initiatives that can improve bilateral trade and investment flows.
Officials described the meetings as an opportunity to take stock of progress in Pakistan-New Zealand relations, explore emerging areas of cooperation and strengthen institutional mechanisms for future engagement.
The discussions concluded with a reaffirmation of the two countries’ commitment to developing a broader, forward-looking partnership based on mutual economic interests, diplomatic coordination and stronger people-to-people connections.
