Pakistan, Belarus Sign Protocols and Media MoU to Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation

Islamabad, August 12: Pakistan and Belarus have signed the agreed Minutes/Protocol of the 9th Session of the Pakistan-Belarus Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) on Trade and Economic Cooperation, along with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between their national media institutions to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.

The 9th Session of the Joint Ministerial Commission was held in Islamabad on August 11-12, 2026, and was co-chaired by Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan and Belarusian Minister of Energy Dzianis Maroz.

In his opening remarks, Jam Kamal Khan reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to its longstanding relationship with Belarus, based on mutual trust, sovereign equality and shared interests. He said strong political leadership had further strengthened bilateral ties and created a solid foundation for expanding economic cooperation and exploring new avenues of mutual benefit.

The Federal Minister said the Joint Ministerial Commission remained a key platform for strengthening cooperation across diverse sectors. He stressed the need to diversify markets, explore new avenues of growth and identify opportunities that could deliver tangible benefits for the institutions and peoples of both countries.

Belarusian Minister of Energy Dzianis Maroz appreciated the warm reception extended to the Belarusian delegation and the constructive discussions with Pakistani counterparts. He reaffirmed Belarus’s readiness to expand cooperation in diverse areas and welcomed new initiatives aimed at further strengthening bilateral relations.

Secretary Economic Affairs Division Muhammad Humair Karim Kidwai briefed the meeting on progress made in implementing the decisions of the 8th JMC and the outcomes of the technical session of the 9th JMC.

Both sides welcomed the establishment of a Joint Working Group on Trade to identify new opportunities, address trade-related issues and strengthen coordination. They also agreed to establish a Joint Feasibility Study Group to examine prospects for a Bilateral Trade Agreement on Services.

The two sides also appreciated the work of the Joint Feasibility Study Group on the Pakistan-Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement and its recommendation to move towards negotiations in accordance with the directions of the trade ministers of both countries.

On industrial cooperation, Pakistan and Belarus reaffirmed their commitment to promoting technology transfer and industrial collaboration, particularly by strengthening cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises.

The Pakistani side expressed its readiness to facilitate the deployment of Pakistani workers in Belarus through a structured and mutually agreed mechanism. The initiative, according to the discussions, would contribute to the Belarusian economy while creating employment opportunities for Pakistani youth.

Agriculture was identified as another sector with significant potential for increasing bilateral trade and investment. The two countries agreed to facilitate online business-to-business sessions covering seafood, fruits, vegetables, seeds and dairy products. They also agreed to enhance participation in agricultural exhibitions, food fairs and reciprocal business delegations to promote partnerships, investment and knowledge exchange.

In science and technology, Pakistan proposed initiating work towards a Mutual Recognition Agreement under the existing MoU between the State Committee for Standardization of Belarus and the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority. The proposed arrangement would facilitate mutual recognition of standards, testing and conformity assessment procedures, helping promote bilateral trade.

Belarus also proposed exploring cooperation in emerging technologies, including water conservation, solid waste management and wastewater treatment.

The Co-Chairs signed the agreed Minutes/Protocol of the 9th Session, formalizing the decisions and understandings reached during the two-day meeting.

A separate MoU was also signed between the National State Television and Radio Company of the Republic of Belarus and Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV). The agreement will provide a framework for enhanced cooperation in broadcasting, content exchange and professional engagement between the media institutions of the two countries.

Concluding the session, the Co-Chairs appreciated the constructive engagement and dedicated efforts of the Pakistani and Belarusian delegations in advancing bilateral economic cooperation. They noted that the JMC provided an important platform for reviewing progress, resolving outstanding issues and identifying practical avenues for expanding cooperation across multiple sectors.

The two sides expressed confidence that the decisions reached during the session would contribute to increased bilateral trade and investment, stronger business-to-business linkages, enhanced connectivity and greater cooperation in emerging areas of mutual interest.