Pakistan, Syria set up joint group to drive trade, farming, tech ties | The Express Tribune

Pakistan and Syria have committed to expanding bilateral cooperation in trade, agriculture, and technology, agreeing to form a joint working group to carry forward concrete collaboration.

In a meeting held in Islamabad on September 24, 2025, Pakistan’s Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, and the Syrian Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr. Ramez Alraee, discussed strengthening ties in multiple sectors.

A central outcome of their discussion was the decision to establish a Joint Working Group that will explore practical avenues of collaboration including modern farming practices, water resource management, capacity building, and agricultural trade facilitation.

Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain underlined that agriculture remains a sector of high potential for both countries and emphasized Pakistan’s eagerness to deepen trade and technical cooperation with Syria. He said that Pakistan is ready to share its expertise in agricultural research, seed development, and modern cultivation methods to help improve productivity.

In his remarks, Ambassador Dr. Ramez Alraee expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s support and reaffirmed Syria’s commitment to engage closely with Pakistan in mutually beneficial projects. He highlighted the opportunities for enhanced collaboration not only in agriculture but also in the broader fields of trade and technology.

As part of the broader cooperation objectives, the two sides agreed to extend collaboration into science and technology, investment, and industrial development. Both countries acknowledged the importance of joint research initiatives, exchange of technical know-how, and facilitation of trade in agricultural goods and services.

This development builds on earlier efforts by both countries to strengthen ties. In October 2023, Pakistan and Syria had already agreed to deepen cooperation in agriculture and trade, signaling continuity in their bilateral agenda. The current agreement demonstrates progress in taking those commitments forward.

The establishment of the Joint Working Group is expected to pave the way for memoranda of understanding, technical exchanges, and possibly joint ventures in agriculture, trade, and technology sectors. Both governments believe that creating an institutional mechanism will help ensure implementation of agreed projects and identify new areas of collaboration in a systematic manner.

The initiative reflects renewed momentum in Pakistan–Syria relations, with agriculture and technology serving as anchor sectors. The effectiveness of the new working group will be critical to translating these intentions into tangible outcomes for the benefit of both nations.