Islamabad: Pakistan and Canada have agreed to strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties, focusing on key sectors such as agriculture and mines & minerals, during a telephone conversation between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his Canadian counterpart Anita Anand.
According to Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two leaders discussed expanding economic collaboration under the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPPA) to encourage private-sector engagement and safeguard foreign investments.
Foreign Minister Anand thanked Pakistan for facilitating market access for Canadian canola exports, calling it a positive development for agricultural trade between the two countries. Both sides expressed satisfaction over recent constructive engagements and reaffirmed their commitment to advancing mutually beneficial economic cooperation.
They also agreed to remain in close contact to translate the dialogue into concrete outcomes in trade, investment, and development partnerships.
The renewed engagement comes as Pakistan seeks to diversify its investment sources and attract foreign capital into its agriculture, mineral, and energy sectors, while Canada continues to expand its economic footprint in emerging markets.
Trade Relations Between Pakistan and Canada
Pakistan and Canada enjoy a long-standing relationship built on diplomatic cooperation, development ties, and shared membership in the UN and Commonwealth. The partnership now focuses on expanding economic collaboration in key areas such as education, ICT, renewable energy, agriculture, and mining.
Canadian universities attract a growing number of Pakistani students, while Canadian firms see rising opportunities in Pakistan’s tech, cleantech, and agri-food sectors. The Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPPA) provides a transparent framework to enhance investor confidence and safeguard mutual investments.
Though current trade remains limited, both nations view targeted business partnerships and investment missions as vital steps toward unlocking the full potential of their economic relationship.
Pakistan ranked as Canada’s 36th-largest export destination for merchandise trade, reflecting a steady and mutually beneficial commercial relationship. Bilateral trade between the two countries reached USD 1.11 billion, demonstrating the resilience of trade flows even during global economic disruptions. Out of this total, Canadian exports to Pakistan stood at approximately USD 669 million, while imports from Pakistan amounted to USD 438 million.
Canadian exports to Pakistan largely consist of agricultural commodities, including pulses (especially lentils), wheat, canola oil, fertilizers, and specialized industrial machinery. Canada’s advanced capabilities in agri-technology, mining technologies, energy equipment, and educational services also contribute to its export profile. These sectors have continued to show potential for growth as Pakistan modernizes its industrial and agricultural base.
On the other side, Pakistan’s exports to Canada include textiles, apparel, leather goods, home textiles, sporting goods, surgical instruments, and value-added food products. Pakistan’s strong textile industry remains a key driver of its exports, with Canada serving as an important market for ready-made garments and home furnishings.
