ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are set to deepen cooperation in agriculture and food trade, with Islamabad aiming to substantially increase exports of agricultural and food products to the Kingdom through stronger market linkages, investment and private-sector partnerships.
The development was discussed at a meeting chaired by Minister for Economic Affairs and Establishment Division Ahad Khan Cheema, which reviewed progress on initiatives to expand bilateral trade and investment in the agriculture and food sectors.
During the meeting, officials briefed participants on progress in initiatives aimed at expanding bilateral trade in agricultural and food products, while also highlighting opportunities to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries.
اسلام آباد، وفاقی وزیر اقتصادی امور احد چیمہ کی صدارت میں پاک، سعودی زرعی تجارت کے فروغ پر اجلاس۔
وزیر اطلاعات عطاء اللہ تارڑ، سیکرٹری کامرس و فوڈ سکیورٹی، چیئرمین سی ڈی اے، وزارت خارجہ کے حکام شریک۔
سعودی وزیر ماحولیات عبدالرحمن الفضلی جلد پاکستان کا دورہ کریں گے، وفاقی وزیر احد… pic.twitter.com/Kue5zOjQTD— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) August 20, 2026
Minister Ahad Cheema said the upcoming visit of Saudi Minister for Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Al-Fadley to Pakistan would be an important opportunity to deepen bilateral cooperation in agriculture and food trade, as well as explore new avenues for investment and joint ventures.
Pakistan seeks to increase exports to Saudi Arabia
He said the government was seeking to significantly increase Pakistan’s exports of agricultural and food products to Saudi Arabia by tapping the country’s agricultural potential, strengthening value chains and encouraging greater private-sector participation.
The meeting was informed that Islamabad and Riyadh had identified four priority areas for cooperation in the food sector — meat, rice, processed food and animal fodder. The visiting Saudi delegation is also expected to meet provincial agriculture ministers to explore additional areas of collaboration and improve coordination between the two countries.
As part of the visit, the Saudi delegation is scheduled to visit the National Agriculture Research Centre (NARC), where it will be briefed on Pakistan’s agricultural research, innovation and development initiatives. The delegation will also meet representatives of leading Pakistani agricultural business groups to explore opportunities for trade, investment and joint ventures.
Officials further informed the meeting that several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were expected to be signed during the Saudi minister’s visit, particularly in food research and the proposed establishment of a Pakistan-Saudi Agri Investment Fund. The initiatives are aimed at promoting investment and strengthening cooperation in the agriculture sector.
Stronger trade, mutually beneficial economic partnerships
Ahad Cheema said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was keen to further deepen economic and agricultural cooperation with Saudi Arabia and translate the longstanding fraternal ties between the two countries into stronger trade, investment and mutually beneficial economic partnerships.
The minister directed all relevant departments to maintain close coordination and formulate concrete, commercially viable proposals to boost Pakistan’s agricultural and food exports to Saudi Arabia.
Also Read: Saudi Arabia Extends $5 Billion Support for Pakistan Until 2029
He expressed hope that the upcoming visit would provide fresh momentum to bilateral economic ties and lead to tangible progress in agricultural trade, investment, research and joint ventures between the two countries.
The two countries have substantially deepened their economic engagement over the past two years through frequent high-level exchanges and the work of the Saudi-Pakistan Supreme Coordination Council and the Bilateral Finance Group.
Saudi Arabia remains one of Pakistan’s key economic partners, extending financial support, investment commitments and cooperation in areas including energy security and economic development.
Last month, Saudi Arabia extended its $5 billion financial support for Pakistan until 2029, providing a major boost to the country’s external financing position.
