The 8th Session of the Pakistan-Belarus Joint Ministerial Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation concluded successfully in Minsk, Belarus, with the signing of a protocol. The session featured constructive discussions to strengthen economic, commercial, and technical ties between the two nations.

Co-chaired by Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Commerce, H.E Jam Kamal Khan, and Belarusian Minister for Energy, H.E Aleksey Kushnarenko, the meeting included senior officials from both countries. Special Secretary of Pakistan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs, Muhammad Humair Karim, also contributed to the session’s success.

Both sides emphasized addressing labor migration issues and agreed to enhance cooperation in labor mobility and workers’ rights protection. They committed to finalizing MoUs to create a framework for skilled workforce exchange and economic collaboration.

In the industrial sector, progress was noted in joint projects like energy-efficient tractors and electric buses. Partnerships between Pakistan’s Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) and Belarus’ MTW will expand in agricultural machinery, transportation, and industrial equipment.

Cooperation in agriculture will focus on seed production, livestock, veterinary medicine, and fisheries. Both nations pledged to boost food security and trade volume, supporting participation in international agricultural exhibitions.

In healthcare and pharmaceuticals, collaboration will explore medicine production, distribution, and market access. Joint training programs for regulatory authorities and adherence to international standards like GMP and GDP were highlighted. Pakistan will facilitate the registration of Belarusian veterinary drugs and promote agricultural technology exchange.

A joint action plan will implement the MoU between Pakistan’s NAVTTC and Belarus’ RIPO to enhance vocational and technical education. Belarus will host a NAVTTC delegation and support Pakistani contestants in the 2025 Republican Competition of Professional Skills.

Science and technology cooperation will expand through joint projects and agreements between the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus and Pakistan’s Academy of Sciences. Collaboration in national standards will also advance.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to environmental sustainability, with an action plan to be signed during the Pakistani Prime Minister’s upcoming visit. Belarus will facilitate a visit by Pakistan’s NDMA to explore cooperation on fire-fighting and rescue equipment.

Media cooperation will renew between Belarus’ National State Television and Radio Company and Pakistan’s PTV. Tourism promotion will include information exchange and participation in exhibitions and forums.

Sports cooperation will focus on exchanging information on facilities and competitions to enhance bilateral ties.

Both nations acknowledged the importance of correspondent banking arrangements to facilitate financial transactions and support economic cooperation.

On the sidelines, the Pakistani delegation held productive meetings with Belarusian officials, including H.E. Aleksey Kushnarenko, Minister of Energy; H.E. Sergey Lukashevich, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; and H.E. Vadim Shagoiko, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food.

The 9th Session of the Joint Ministerial Commission will be held in Islamabad, Pakistan, in 2026, with dates and agenda to be decided through diplomatic channels