Pakistan and Saudi Arabia Set to Deepen Agriculture, Food Trade Cooperation
Published August 20, 2026 | 08:00 PM (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 20th Aug, 2026)
Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Establishment Division Chairs Meeting
ISLAMABAD, (APP – UrduPoint)
Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Establishment Division, Senator Ahad Cheema, chaired a meeting on Thursday to review the significant progress and emerging opportunities for expanding Pakistan’s agricultural and food products trade with Saudi Arabia. The focus was on boosting exports, strengthening bilateral market linkages, and creating new avenues for investment and private-sector partnerships.
Attending the meeting were:
- Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar
- Secretary Commerce, Jawad Paul
- Secretary National Food Security and Research, Amer Ali Ahmad
- Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA), Sohail Ashraf
- Officials from the Foreign Office
- Representatives of other concerned departments
During the meeting, officials presented updates on initiatives to expand bilateral trade in agricultural and food products, highlighting opportunities for further cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in these sectors.
Senator Ahad Cheema stated:
The upcoming visit of Saudi Minister for Environment, Water and Agriculture, Abdulrahman Al-Fadley to Pakistan will be crucial in strengthening bilateral cooperation in agriculture and food trade and exploring new avenues for investment and joint ventures.
He added that the government aims to considerably expand exports of agricultural and food products to Saudi Arabia by leveraging Pakistan’s agricultural potential, strengthening value chains, and facilitating greater private sector engagement.
Key areas of cooperation identified:
- Meat
- Rice
- Processed food
- Animal fodder
The Saudi delegation is scheduled to visit the National Agriculture Research Centre (NARC) to learn about Pakistan’s agricultural research initiatives. They will also meet with leading Pakistani agricultural business groups to explore trade, investment, and joint venture opportunities.
According to officials, several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) are expected to be signed during the visit, focusing on food research and establishing a Pakistan-Saudi Agri Investment Fund among other initiatives to promote investment and cooperation in agriculture.
Senator Ahad Cheema emphasized that Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif is personally committed to deepening economic and agricultural cooperation with Saudi Arabia, translating into stronger relations between the two countries.
