Pakistan, South Korea Move Closer to CEPA as Seoul Trade Conference Produces Six B2B MOUs

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the Republic of Korea have moved closer to concluding a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) as a Pakistan-Korea Trade and Investment Conference in Seoul brought together more than 170 businessmen from both countries and resulted in the signing of six Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs).

Addressing the conference via video link as chief guest, Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan said the first round of CEPA negotiations between Pakistan and South Korea had been successfully concluded, while the second round was expected to begin soon.

He said the agreement, once finalized, would create new opportunities for Pakistani exporters and further strengthen bilateral economic ties. He urged business communities of both countries to use the conference to establish concrete partnerships ahead of the conclusion of the agreement.

The conference was attended by 91 Korean and 82 Pakistani businessmen, including members of the Pakistani diaspora in Korea and delegates from the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Gujranwala Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Officials of the Special Investment Facilitation Council and the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan briefed participants on Pakistan’s export potential in textiles and apparel, leather goods, surgical and sports goods, agro-food products, minerals and IT services.

During business-to-business sessions, Pakistani companies represented by the Sialkot, Gujranwala and other chambers of commerce signed six MOUs with Korean counterparts in sectors including salt, cosmetics, and oil and sesame seed trade.

The MOUs are expected to provide a foundation for definitive commercial agreements between the participating companies.

The conference was organized with the support of the Pakistan Business Association of Korea and the Embassy of Pakistan in Seoul. The Commercial Wing of the Embassy will continue to facilitate Korean investors and trading partners.

It was also announced that another trade and investment conference is being planned in Seoul in March 2027 to build on the momentum generated by the CEPA process.