Pakistan, Philippines Discuss Expansion of Rice Trade in Islamabad Talks
Pakistan and the Philippines have discussed strengthening bilateral trade cooperation, with a particular focus on expanding Pakistan’s rice exports to the Philippine market.
The discussions took place during a meeting in Islamabad between Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan and the Ambassador of the Philippines to Pakistan, Dr Emmanuel R. Fernandez, where both sides explored practical avenues to enhance agricultural trade relations.
The commerce minister highlighted Pakistan’s strong performance in the agricultural sector, noting that the country is on a robust production trajectory while maintaining consistent quality standards. He said Pakistan has identified the Philippines as one of its key partner countries for expanding rice exports, reflecting Islamabad’s strategy to diversify markets and strengthen food trade diplomacy in the region.
Ambassador Fernandez, in response, acknowledged Pakistan’s longstanding role as one of the top three rice suppliers to the Philippines, underscoring the depth of existing trade ties between the two countries.
Both sides expressed interest in further strengthening cooperation mechanisms to facilitate trade, signaling a shared commitment to deepening economic engagement and expanding bilateral agricultural commerce.
