Pakistan to send Egypt list of 250 businesses for bilateral trade push

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Sunday that Pakistan will share a list of 250 business houses with Egypt to enhance bilateral commercial engagement, according to Radio Pakistan.

Speaking to the media alongside Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr. Badr Abdelatty, who arrived in Islamabad last night for a two-day official visit, Dar said the discussions covered a wide agenda — from consultations on conflicts including Gaza and Sudan, and the Iranian nuclear dispute, to ways of boosting economic cooperation.

Addressing a joint press conference, Dar said he and Abdelatty had a “very, very focused discussion” on elevating business-to-business cooperation, which he described as “surely not commensurate” with the current $300 million trade level.

“With the depth and affection the two countries have, Pakistan will share with Egypt a comprehensive list of 250 Pakistani business houses representing key sectors of the economy,” Dar announced.

“These businesses will be facilitated and supported to enhance bilateral commercial engagement,” he added, noting that the firms will be selected through a transparent process across all sectors.

The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI), in collaboration with other chambers, will prepare the initial list. Dar emphasized that only businesses “who really deserve and are willing to work and cooperate” will be included.

After due diligence in Egypt, the selected companies will be placed on a “white list.” Dar noted that concerns about long business visa wait times would be addressed for these 250 firms.

Three months after sharing the first list, a second list of 250 businesses will be prepared, bringing the total to 500 Pakistani companies for Egyptian collaboration.

Dar also announced the creation of a Pakistan-Egypt Business Council to institutionalize private-sector cooperation, followed by the establishment of a Pakistan-Egypt Business Forum co-chaired by both foreign ministers. The first forum meeting will be held in Cairo in the second quarter of 2026.

Acknowledging that the Pakistan-Egypt Joint Ministerial Commission had not met since 2010, Dar said political consultations will take place in early 2026, with Egypt sending an assistant minister and Pakistan represented by its foreign secretary to prepare the JMC agenda.

“Discussions today reaffirm the strength of Pakistan-Egypt relations and our shared commitment to enhance cooperation across political, economic, defense, cultural, and people-to-people domains,” Dar said, adding that the visit would “open new avenues of practical cooperation.”

The two leaders also assessed regional developments, with particular focus on Gaza, Indian-administered Kashmir, Afghanistan, and multilateral cooperation. Dar praised Egypt’s humanitarian support and mediation efforts in Gaza and highlighted its role as a key partner in the Muslim world.

Abdelatty conveyed condolences over recent terrorist attacks in Islamabad and Peshawar, expressed solidarity in Pakistan’s fight against extremism, and outlined Egypt’s holistic approach to countering terrorism through security, socio-economic, and religious initiatives.

He noted that cooperation would be intensified in countering cross-border terrorism and promoting moderate discourse through Egypt’s religious institutions, including Al-Azhar al-Sharif, Dar Al Ifta, and the Ministry of Waqf.

Abdelatty termed the discussions “extensive and constructive,” emphasizing the goal of strengthening bilateral cooperation across political dialogue, trade, investment, security, defense, and cultural and educational exchanges.

Dar also announced that Egypt has agreed to double the number of scholarships for Pakistani students at Al-Azhar University, including courses focused on countering terrorism through religious teachings.

The two ministers noted that they have met frequently on the sidelines of international forums this year, reflecting the longstanding friendship between Pakistan and Egypt.