Islamabad (TDI): A Vietnamese business delegation, led by Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyễn Hồng Diên, has arrived in Pakistan for a three‑day visit aimed at deepening bilateral economic ties and launching Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) negotiations.
The minister was greeted at Islamabad International Airport by senior Pakistani trade officials, including the Additional Secretary (Trade Development), the Trade and Investment Officer from Hanoi, and the Director of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP). Vietnam’s Ambassador to Pakistan and his diplomatic team were also present.
Over the course of the visit, Minister Nguyễn will hold bilateral talks with Pakistan’s Commerce Minister, Jam Kamal Khan, and participate in the formal launch of PTA negotiations between the two countries.
This visit marks a critical step in Pakistan and Vietnam’s shared vision of expanding trade beyond current levels. Bilateral trade volume stood at approximately US $850 million in 2024, and both sides expect it to cross the $1 billion mark in the near future.
During the 5th session of the Pakistan–Vietnam Joint Trade Committee (JTC), held earlier in Hanoi, both sides agreed to initiate PTA negotiations by the end of 2025.
The renewed institutional framework, the JTC reactivated after an eight‑year hiatus, provides a platform to address longstanding trade barriers, streamline procedures, and promote preferential tariff treatment.
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Vietnam has formally submitted a draft PTA, encompassing over 80 key export lines for which it seeks tariff reductions to a 0–5 percent range. Pakistan has welcomed the proposal and pledged to study it for negotiation in 2025.
Subsequent PTA finalization could pave the way toward a more ambitious Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in the future.
Both countries view this agreement as part of a larger strategy to diversify trade beyond traditional sectors. Key areas under discussion include textiles, fisheries, agriculture, halal food certification, pharmaceuticals, pharmaceuticals, information technology, and industrial processing.
The push for halal‑certified agricultural goods is particularly important, with Vietnam aiming to expand its access to Pakistan’s markets under halal standards.
Officials hope improved institutional connectivity, through chambers of commerce, business delegations, and trade promotion organizations, will support sustained growth. Vietnam has also invited Pakistani delegations to its trade expos and industrial zones.
If successfully launched, PTA talks between Pakistan and Vietnam could mark the beginning of a new era in bilateral economic relations. Beyond traditional export lines, both countries see opportunity in deeper industrial cooperation and value‑chain integration.
Sohail Majeed
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
