Pakistan and the Maldives have agreed to increase bilateral trade from approximately $13.9 million to $200 million within two years, as both countries seek to strengthen economic relations and expand cooperation across multiple sectors. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the target on Wednesday during a joint appearance with Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, who was visiting Pakistan for a three-day state visit. The two countries also signed 20 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and agreements covering trade, information technology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, healthcare, education, defence, agriculture and other areas of mutual interest. Shehbaz said the existing volume of trade represented only a small portion of the economic potential between the two countries, adding that stronger cooperation and effective implementation of the agreements would be necessary to achieve the proposed target. The initiative reflects a broader effort to translate longstanding diplomatic relations into expanded commercial activity, investment and professional exchanges.
The proposed increase would take bilateral trade from its current level of around $13.9 million to $200 million, representing a rise of more than 1,300%. Achieving this objective within two years will require both countries to identify new trading opportunities, improve commercial connections and implement the agreements signed during the presidential visit. The visit is particularly significant because it marks the first visit by a Maldivian president to Pakistan in 11 years and coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Both leaders expressed support for strengthening economic and institutional ties, with particular attention to sectors where Pakistan’s professional expertise and production capabilities could meet the Maldives’ requirements. The trade target also provides a framework for expanding cooperation beyond existing commercial exchanges and creating additional opportunities for businesses, service providers and investors in both countries.
The 20 agreements cover a wide range of sectors, including information technology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital skills, healthcare, education, social protection, defence, maritime security, agriculture, fisheries, tourism and environmental cooperation. The two governments also agreed to strengthen collaboration in policing, youth development, sports, air connectivity, arts, culture and heritage. These areas reflect an effort to broaden bilateral relations beyond conventional trade and establish working relationships between institutions in both countries. In the agricultural sector, the Maldives State Trading Organisation and Pakistan’s Trading Corporation of Pakistan signed an MoU to cooperate in agricultural commodities, food products and other goods. The arrangement could provide a basis for improving commercial links between suppliers and buyers while helping both countries explore opportunities to expand the exchange of essential products. Other agreements focus on vocational training, the recruitment of health professionals and cooperation between the Maldives Food and Drug Authority and Pakistan’s Drug Regulatory Authority.
Healthcare and professional training were also highlighted as important areas of bilateral cooperation. Shehbaz said Pakistan was prepared to provide medical and professional support according to the Maldives’ needs. He noted that Maldivian students had studied at Pakistani universities and colleges, particularly in health-related disciplines, while approximately 250 Pakistani doctors and paramedical staff were serving in the Maldives. The existing presence of Pakistani medical professionals provides a foundation for further cooperation in healthcare services, recruitment and training. The agreements could also support additional opportunities for professional exchanges and skills development, depending on the requirements identified by the Maldivian authorities. Education and vocational training are expected to remain important components of the relationship, particularly as both countries seek to expand opportunities for younger people and strengthen the availability of specialised skills.
Technology cooperation forms another significant part of the agreements, with Pakistan offering technical expertise in information technology and data centre development. The inclusion of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and digitalisation creates opportunities for institutional cooperation in emerging technologies and digital capabilities. President Muizzu expressed support for expanding scholarships, training programmes and professional opportunities for young Maldivians, including collaboration in artificial intelligence and other developing technology fields. These initiatives could help strengthen technical knowledge and professional capacity while creating avenues for closer engagement between relevant organisations in both countries. However, the practical benefits will depend on the implementation of the agreements, the development of specific programmes and the ability of participating institutions to translate commitments into services and opportunities.
Environmental cooperation also featured prominently during the visit. Pakistan agreed to provide 100,000 olive cuttings and 100,000 seeds of different plant species to support the Maldives’ plan to plant five million trees. Muizzu welcomed the initiative and called for stronger cooperation on environmental conservation, renewable energy and climate resilience. He described climate change as a direct challenge to the Maldives’ security and future, highlighting the importance of international partnerships in addressing environmental risks. The proposed cooperation could support the Maldives’ tree-planting objectives while expanding collaboration on conservation and sustainable development. Climate-related initiatives are particularly relevant to the Maldives, where environmental vulnerability has significant implications for communities, infrastructure and long-term development planning.
Muizzu endorsed the $200 million bilateral trade target and said the two countries would work to increase trade and investment, improve connectivity and promote tourism. He emphasised that the agreements signed during the visit should deliver tangible benefits to people rather than remain formal commitments. In addition to commercial cooperation, the leaders discussed regional and international issues. Shehbaz reiterated Pakistan’s support for Palestinian self-determination and the establishment of an independent, sovereign and contiguous Palestinian state in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions. Muizzu reaffirmed the Maldives’ support for an independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. These discussions reflected areas of shared diplomatic interest alongside the economic and development agenda of the visit.
The prime minister also raised the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, saying it should be resolved in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. He expressed concern over India’s decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, stressing that legally binding international agreements should be respected and shared water resources should not be used as a means of political pressure. Shehbaz warned that Pakistan would regard any violation in this regard as an act of war. Separately, he congratulated Muizzu on receiving an honorary doctorate from the International Islamic University Islamabad in recognition of his leadership and public service. The Maldivian president thanked Pakistan’s leadership and people for their hospitality, describing the visit as an opportunity to establish a new phase of partnership built on six decades of friendship.
The success of the Pakistan-Maldives trade initiative will depend on how effectively both governments implement the 20 agreements and develop practical mechanisms to expand commercial activity. The proposed increase from $13.9 million to $200 million represents a substantial ambition for two countries seeking closer economic engagement. Trade in agricultural commodities and food products, technology services, healthcare, education and tourism could provide several areas for further cooperation. At the same time, improvements in connectivity, professional exchanges and institutional coordination will be important for turning diplomatic commitments into measurable results. By combining the trade target with agreements on technology, skills, healthcare and environmental cooperation, Pakistan and the Maldives have outlined a broad agenda for strengthening bilateral relations. Meeting the target within two years will require sustained engagement, effective implementation and greater participation from businesses and relevant institutions in both countries.
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