Some of the key steps taken to enhance Pakistan’s trade relations with Australia are delineated below:
- A bilateral Joint Trade Committee (JTC) exists between the two countries. The 8th last meeting was held in October 2019 at Islamabad where areas for enhancing bilateral trade were discussed.
- After strenuous efforts, Australia accredited additional two Mango Hot Water Facilities of Pakistan in May 2021. This has increased Pakistan’s export capacity for mangoes to Australian market.
- Pakistani dates have been introduced in Woolworths – the largest supermarket chains in Australia. This is the result of the efforts to explore new markets for Pakistani dates.
- To promote IT exports, an initiative has been launched by the Ministry of Commerce, Consulate General in Sydney and Pakistan Software Export Board. Under the initiative a series of B2B sessions on various IT issues were held last year. Assumedly, due to increased financing in the IT sector, Pakistan remittances from Australia have also increased (Remittances from Australia to Pakistan increased by 43% from US$ 474 million in 2020 to US$ 676 in 2021).
- A social media platform on Facebook and Twitter, named “Made in Pakistan for Australia” was launched to increase awareness and run different promotional campaigns about Pakistani quality products such as home textiles, spices, sports goods, mango etc. being sold in Australia, especially in the mainstream chain stores. The platform is also being promoted during different events organized / attended by the Consulate General for public outreach.
Note: The above data and info was shared with the National Assembly on May 23, 2022 by the Minister for Commerce Syed Naveed Qamar.
