Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are looking to translate their long political and strategic relationship into a stronger economic partnership with agriculture, food security, water management and trade emerging as key areas of cooperation.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held talks with Saudi Minister for Environment, Water and Agriculture Engineer Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadley at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad on Friday and called for further strengthening the economic and agricultural relations between the two countries.

The meeting comes at a crucial point in Pakistan-Saudi relations. “The Makkah Joint Defense Agreement, recently signed between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye has brought the three countries closer and sent a message of unity and peace to the region,” he said. Now, he said, the strategic relationship should be translated into more trade, investment and economic gains.

Agriculture is expected to be a key element of the developing partnership. Pakistan has been pushing for better access for its agricultural and food products in Saudi Arabia, particularly meat, rice, processed food and animal feed. Officials also identified opportunities for investment, joint ventures and agricultural research including a proposed Pakistan-Saudi Agri Investment Fund.

Al-Fadley’s visit also includes food production, irrigation and water systems and opportunities in agriculture, livestock and food processing. Saudi Arabia is seeking opportunities for mutual investment in food security.

Now the challenge is to translate diplomatic goodwill into commercially viable projects, higher exports and sustainable investment. Greater engagement with Saudi Arabia could be a significant opportunity for Pakistan to modernize its agriculture and strengthen its presence in regional food markets.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)