Pakistan, South Korea Advance Towards Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement

Pakistan and South Korea have completed the first round of negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), with the second round expected to begin soon, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan said.

 

The minister said the agreement, once finalised, could create new export opportunities for Pakistani businesses and strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties.

 

The development was announced during a Pakistan-Korea Trade & Investment Conference in Seoul, which brought together more than 170 Pakistani and Korean business representatives. The event also resulted in the signing of six Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) between companies from both countries.

 

Pakistan highlighted export opportunities in textiles and apparel, leather, surgical and sports goods, agro-food products, minerals and IT services.

 

Business-to-business meetings also produced agreements covering sectors including salt, cosmetics, oil and sesame seed trade, with the MOUs expected to pave the way for broader commercial partnerships.

 

The government said it plans to build on the momentum through another trade and investment conference in Seoul in March 2027, following progress on the CEPA negotiations.