Pakistan and Ethiopia have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation across agriculture, livestock, food security, agricultural trade, investment and technology transfer, with both countries seeking to move beyond broad expressions of interest towards practical projects, commercial partnerships and institutional collaboration.
The understanding was reached during a high-level meeting between Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain and Ambassador of Ethiopia to Pakistan Dr. Oumer Hussein Oba, according to an official press release. The meeting reviewed opportunities for deeper engagement between the two predominantly agrarian economies and focused on turning existing bilateral goodwill into concrete trade and investment opportunities.
During the meeting, Rana Tanveer Hussain highlighted Pakistan’s experience in agricultural research, modern farming technologies, agricultural machinery, irrigation, livestock development and agro-processing. He said Pakistan is prepared to share its technical expertise and experience with Ethiopia as both countries explore areas where greater cooperation could produce commercial and development opportunities.
The federal minister identified agricultural research, crop productivity, seed development, climate-resilient agriculture, irrigation, mechanisation and livestock development as areas with significant potential for collaboration. He also emphasised opportunities for Pakistani companies to expand their presence in Ethiopia by supplying agricultural machinery, tractors, irrigation equipment and agro-processing solutions.
The discussions also covered the livestock sector, where the two countries see potential for cooperation in animal breeding, veterinary services, disease control, dairy production, meat production and the development of feed and fodder. Modern livestock value chains were also discussed as an area where technical exchanges and commercial partnerships could support greater productivity and improve agricultural trade.
Agricultural trade and market access were another major focus of the meeting. Rana Tanveer Hussain stressed the need for stronger coordination on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards to facilitate trade between the two countries. Improved alignment and coordination in these areas could help address market access issues and create better conditions for agricultural products to move between Pakistan and Ethiopia.
The minister also highlighted the importance of stronger business-to-business connections and joint ventures. Such partnerships, he said, could provide a practical route for expanding bilateral trade and investment while allowing businesses from both countries to identify specific commercial opportunities.
The two sides also discussed Pakistan’s proposal to establish a Joint Working Group on Agriculture and Livestock. The proposed mechanism would provide an institutional framework for regular engagement between the two countries, technical exchanges and the development of specific cooperation programmes.
The Joint Working Group could also help translate discussions between government representatives into defined projects and partnerships by providing a platform for officials and relevant stakeholders to follow up on agreed areas of cooperation. This would support the two countries’ stated objective of shifting from general discussions towards measurable outcomes in agriculture and livestock.
Ambassador Dr. Oumer Hussein Oba welcomed Pakistan’s interest in expanding agricultural cooperation and highlighted Ethiopia’s potential in agricultural commodities and investment. He expressed Ethiopia’s readiness to strengthen collaboration with Pakistan across agriculture, livestock, trade, technology and investment.
The discussions reflect efforts by Pakistan and Ethiopia to broaden economic engagement through sectors where both countries possess significant agricultural activity and development potential. Greater cooperation in farming technology, livestock, agricultural machinery, irrigation and agro-processing could create opportunities for businesses while supporting knowledge and technology exchange.
The focus on trade standards, private sector linkages, joint ventures and an institutional working mechanism also indicates an effort to establish a more structured foundation for bilateral agricultural relations. Both sides have agreed that specific projects and partnerships should form the basis of future cooperation as Pakistan and Ethiopia seek to deepen economic ties.
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