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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Ethiopia have agreed to address outstanding pharmaceutical regulatory and market-access issues and strengthen bilateral trade and economic cooperation, the Ministry of Commerce said on Saturday.<\/strong><\/p>\n The understanding was reached during a high-level virtual meeting between Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan and Ethiopia\u2019s Minister of Trade and Regional Integration, Yasmin Wohabrebbi, to discuss bilateral trade relations, Ethiopia\u2019s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and pending market-access matters.<\/p>\n During the meeting, Jam Kamal Khan reaffirmed Pakistan\u2019s commitment to strengthening economic ties with Ethiopia, describing the country as an important gateway to East African markets.<\/p>\n Recalling his earlier visit to Ethiopia with a Pakistani business delegation, the minister appreciated the country\u2019s economic progress and highlighted opportunities for cooperation in manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, textiles and investment.<\/p>\n He emphasised the need to translate diplomatic goodwill into tangible commercial outcomes, highlighting Pakistan\u2019s efforts to facilitate direct air connectivity with Ethiopia.<\/p>\n The minister also called for the early resolution of outstanding issues relating to WTO market-access negotiations and pharmaceutical registrations to facilitate trade between the two countries.<\/p>\n Ethiopian Trade Minister Yasmin Wohabrebbi appreciated Pakistan\u2019s constructive engagement and briefed the meeting on progress towards her country\u2019s WTO accession.<\/p>\n She informed the Pakistani delegation that 11 of the 17 bilateral market-access agreements had been concluded and sought Pakistan\u2019s cooperation in completing the remaining accession process while addressing Ethiopia\u2019s legitimate trade interests through continued consultations.<\/p>\n Secretary Commerce Jawad Paul stressed the importance of sustained technical-level coordination between relevant institutions to resolve pending pharmaceutical registration matters, facilitate market access and advance agreed trade priorities.<\/p>\n He also called for regular follow-up to remove regulatory bottlenecks and encourage greater private-sector engagement.<\/p>\n Both ministers discussed strengthening institutional cooperation, including convening the Joint Economic Committee, and developing a practical roadmap to expand bilateral trade and investment.<\/p>\n