BAKU, September 3: Pakistan and Azerbaijan are working to strengthen economic cooperation and increase bilateral trade by improving trade facilitation, customs coordination and business-to-business engagement, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan Qasim Mohiuddin said.
Speaking to Azerbaijan State News Agency (AZERTAC), the ambassador said enhancing trade relations with Azerbaijan remains one of the top priorities of Pakistan’s leadership.
He said the implementation of the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and the Transit Trade Agreement (TTA) has helped both countries promote greater trade volumes by providing tariff concessions and improving transit opportunities.
“The PTA, coupled with the Transit Trade Agreement, has helped encourage greater volumetric trade between Pakistan and Azerbaijan,” Mohiuddin said.
Focus on smoother trade transactions
The ambassador said efforts were underway to harmonise customs regulations and strengthen cooperation between commercial banks to ensure faster and more efficient settlement of trade transactions.
He acknowledged that current bilateral trade levels do not yet reflect the strength of Pakistan-Azerbaijan political relations but said both sides were taking steps to bring business communities closer.
Growing B2B engagement between both countries
Mohiuddin said the implementation of trade agreements has led to increased business interactions between companies and commercial organisations from both countries.
He noted that leading Pakistani chambers of commerce and business associations have regularly visited Baku to explore investment and trade opportunities with their Azerbaijani counterparts.
Similarly, Azerbaijani businessmen have also visited Pakistan to identify potential areas of cooperation, he added.
The ambassador said these engagements are helping private sectors of both countries develop practical partnerships and explore new business opportunities.
Economic cooperation remains a priority
Mohiuddin said trade expansion has also received special attention during meetings of the Pakistan-Azerbaijan Inter-Governmental Commission.
He said both countries aim to transform their strong political relationship into sustainable economic cooperation through increased trade, investment and private-sector collaboration.
“Enhancement of bilateral trade is one of the top priorities of our leadership,” the ambassador said, adding that both countries are focused on achieving concrete and long-term economic outcomes.