Islamabad, October 13, 2026: Pakistan and Ethiopia have agreed to accelerate efforts to resolve pending regulatory issues facing Pakistani pharmaceutical companies seeking access to the Ethiopian market, while also exploring broader opportunities to expand bilateral trade and investment.
The issue was discussed during a meeting between Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan and Ethiopian Ambassador to Pakistan Dr Oumer Hussein Oba in Islamabad.
Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Commerce and Industries Rana Ihsaan Afzal, Federal Secretary for Commerce Jawad Paul and senior officials of the Ministry of Commerce also attended the meeting.
Jam Kamal said Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry was looking to expand its footprint in African markets and stressed that faster regulatory approvals and transparent procedures would help strengthen confidence among exporters seeking to enter Ethiopia.
He called for closer coordination between regulatory authorities, diplomatic missions and trade officials to address pending matters and facilitate market access for Pakistani companies.
The Ethiopian ambassador informed the meeting that he had raised the pending pharmaceutical registration cases with the relevant health authorities in Ethiopia and had received positive assurances regarding their early resolution.
Secretary Commerce Jawad Paul also sought an early visit by an Ethiopian technical team to Pakistan to inspect and evaluate pharmaceutical companies as part of the approval process.
He said timely completion of technical assessments and regulatory requirements could help speed up registrations and pave the way for increased pharmaceutical exports to Ethiopia.
The two sides also discussed broader measures to strengthen business-to-business engagement, remove trade barriers and identify sectors with potential for greater commercial cooperation.
Ethiopia’s ongoing accession process to the World Trade Organization was also reviewed during the meeting.
Jam Kamal stressed the importance of reciprocal market access and mutual economic benefits as the two countries work to deepen trade ties. The Ethiopian ambassador said Addis Ababa was willing to address Pakistan’s concerns through consultations.
The commerce minister described Ethiopia as a potential gateway for Pakistani businesses seeking greater access to East African markets, citing opportunities in pharmaceuticals, food products, banking and other sectors.
Both sides also highlighted the need for improved connectivity and stronger exchanges between the business communities of the two countries.
Ambassador Oba acknowledged that bilateral trade remained below its potential and reaffirmed Ethiopia’s interest in expanding economic relations with Pakistan.
The meeting also reviewed progress on a proposed visa waiver agreement for diplomatic and official passport holders, with the Ethiopian side expressing hope that the arrangement would be finalised soon.
Both countries agreed to expedite pending matters, improve institutional coordination and pursue practical steps aimed at translating diplomatic engagement into greater trade and investment.