Pakistan and Republic of Korea Move Closer to CEPA as Seoul Trade Conference Delivers Six B2B MOUs
ISLAMABAD, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 20th Aug, 2026) A Pakistan-Korea Trade and Investment Conference, held in Seoul, brought together over 170 Pakistani and Korean businessmen, resulting in the signing of six Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) between companies of the two countries.
Background: The conference took place against the backdrop of ongoing negotiations between Pakistan and the Republic of Korea on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
Key Takeaways:
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Successful Negotiations: Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, addressing the conference virtually, stated that the first round of CEPA negotiations had been successfully concluded, with a second round expected soon.
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Potential Benefits: The agreement, once finalized, will open new avenues for Pakistani exporters and strengthen economic relations.
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Call to Action: Khan urged business communities to take advantage of the conference platform to form concrete partnerships ahead of the agreement’s conclusion.
Conference Details:
- Attendees: 91 Korean and 82 Pakistani businessmen, including members of the Pakistani diaspora in Korea, and delegates from Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Gujranwala Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
- Speakers: The event featured addresses from the Ambassador of Pakistan to the Republic of Korea, Vice Chairman of the Daegu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and officials from the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP).
- Sectors Covered: Textiles and apparel, leather goods, surgical and sports goods, agro-food products, minerals, and IT services were highlighted as areas of Pakistan’s export potential.
Business-to-Business (B2B) Outcomes:
- MOUs Signed: Six MOUs were signed between Pakistani and Korean companies covering sectors such as salt, cosmetics, and oil and sesame seed trade.
Future Plans:
- A second conference is planned for March 2027 in Seoul to build on the momentum generated by the CEPA.
Organizers:
The conference was organized by the Pakistan Business Association of Korea (PBA) and the Embassy of Pakistan, Seoul. The Commercial Wing of the Embassy will continue to facilitate Korean investors and trading partners.
