Pakistan is exploring the possibility of establishing a trilateral maritime trade alliance with Ethiopia and Djibouti aimed at enhancing regional trade and improving sea connectivity. Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, met with Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr. Oumer Hussien Oba, on Thursday to discuss this initiative.
During their meeting, both parties deliberated on creating a joint maritime trade framework that would link Pakistan, Ethiopia, and Djibouti more closely. The minister underscored the significance of building a cooperative maritime structure to strengthen trade relations and facilitate smoother sea transport among the three nations.
He highlighted Pakistan’s strategic focus on deepening maritime ties with African countries and noted ongoing efforts to realize this goal. Despite Ethiopia being landlocked, the minister pointed out that the country could significantly boost its trade activities by utilizing Djibouti’s port facilities.
Furthermore, the minister drew attention to notable advancements in Pakistan’s port infrastructure, citing a considerable rise in cargo handling capacity as a key development.
In response, the Ethiopian ambassador expressed strong support for the trilateral alliance proposal. He mentioned that technical experts from both countries would soon engage in consultations to design a viable operational framework. The ambassador also revealed that Ethiopia imports a range of products from Pakistan, including pharmaceuticals, surgical instruments, garments, fertilizers, and rice, emphasizing the considerable potential for expanding bilateral trade.
In a significant development, the minister suggested that the maritime alliance could be broadened in the future to incorporate additional countries, thereby further enhancing regional trade and connectivity.
