ISLAMABAD: In a bid to strengthen bilateral trade and economic cooperation, Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan welcomed the high-level visit of Serbia's State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Damjan Jovic, to Pakistan.

During their meeting, both sides discussed ways to enhance trade, investment, and collaboration across various sectors, including agriculture, IT, pharmaceuticals, and skilled labor. Minister Jam Kamal Khan expressed his appreciation for Mr. Jovic's visit, highlighting the importance of fostering closer economic ties between the two countries. He emphasized that there is significant untapped potential for trade and investment between Pakistan and Serbia.

The Commerce Minister also acknowledged Serbia's efforts in promoting bilateral cooperation, particularly in areas such as trade and technology, and underlined the need for further engagement to realize mutual benefits. Mr. Jovic, in turn, commended Pakistan for its warm hospitality and expressed Serbia's interest in closer collaboration with Pakistan. He extended an invitation for Pakistan to participate in Expo 2027, which will be held in Serbia with the theme "Play for Humanity: Sport and Music for All." This Expo will be the first specialized World Expo hosted in the Balkans and aims to foster global cooperation through sport, culture, and technological advancements.

Mr. Jovic pointed out that the Expo would present ample opportunities for joint projects, particularly in skilled labor, IT, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals. In response, Minister Jam Kamal Khan expressed his interest in Serbia's invitation and outlined Pakistan's growing sectors, including the IT and agriculture industries. He also invited Serbian business representatives to participate in Pakistan's FoodAg Expo, scheduled to take place in Lahore next year. The FoodAg Expo will focus on the agriculture and food sectors, and the Commerce Minister highlighted that the event would provide an excellent platform for sector-specific matchmaking and B2B engagements aimed at fostering targeted business collaborations. The Minister elaborated on Pakistan's strengths, including its position as the world's fourth-largest milk producer, presenting opportunities for dairy and meat exports. He also highlighted the vast potential of Pakistan's youthful and dynamic workforce, particularly in the fields of IT and skilled labor, including nurses and other healthcare professionals. He encouraged Serbia to explore these opportunities and seek partnerships that could benefit both nations. Additionally, Minister Jam Kamal Khan praised Serbia's international achievements, particularly in sports, with tennis being one of the country's most notable successes. The Minister expressed an interest in exploring sports-related collaborations between the two countries, which could include exchange programs, joint events, and partnerships in sports management and training. The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to strengthening economic ties and exploring new avenues for cooperation.  They agreed to build on their shared vision of prosperity and partnership, with a focus on deepening trade relations, encouraging investment, and engaging in meaningful collaborations across a wide range of sectors.

Both sides expressed confidence that the discussions during this high-level visit would lead to tangible outcomes, fostering stronger economic and cultural ties between Pakistan and Serbia in the years ahead.