Maldives and Pakistan Aim to Raise Trade to US$200 Million in Two Years

President Mohamed Muizzu said on 21 October that the Maldives and Pakistan would work to raise bilateral trade from US$13 million to US$200 million within two years, a roughly fifteenfold increase.

Speaking at a joint press conference in Islamabad with Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, the President said he fully endorsed the target, according to the text of his statement published by the President’s Office. The statement does not say how the US$13 million figure was calculated or over what period.

The two leaders witnessed the exchange of 20 memoranda of understanding after official talks. The President said they covered health, education, fisheries and agriculture, youth, arts, Islamic affairs, tourism, information technology, police and defence. The President’s Office has not published the texts of the agreements.

Flights and Tourism

The President said he was “very encouraged” by ongoing discussions to establish direct flights between the two countries, which he said would open new opportunities for tourism. He also said he saw considerable potential in halal and Muslim-friendly tourism.

He said the two governments had agreed to work together to expand trade, promote investment, deepen tourism cooperation and strengthen connectivity. A Maldives–Pakistan Business Forum was scheduled for 22 October, bringing together business leaders and investors from both countries, he said.

Health and Education

The President said the leaders discussed increasing places for Maldivian students on MBBS medical degrees under the Pakistan Technical Assistance Programme, and internships in Pakistan for Maldivian medical graduates. He said they also agreed on the importance of strengthening a youth exchange programme and cooperation in skills development.

He thanked the Prime Minister for donations towards the government’s goal of planting five million trees in the Maldives during its five-year term.

First Visit in a Decade

The state visit, from 20 to 22 October, is the first high-level visit between the two countries in a decade, according to the President’s Office. It coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations, established on 26 July 1966.

On 21 October, the President also met Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, who said the memoranda reflected both countries’ commitment to expanding cooperation, according to the President’s Office. The programme announced before the visit included a meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari.

In his statement, the President said the Maldives was ready to work with all members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) towards convening the group’s next summit at the earliest possible opportunity.