Islamabad [Pakistan]: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan Mohammad Ishaq Dar held a telephonic conversation with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, during which both sides discussed ways to deepen bilateral trade and investment ties, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement posted on X.
According to the ministry, the two leaders exchanged views on expanding cooperation in key sectors including agriculture and mines & minerals, as well as collaboration under the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPPA) framework.
Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand expressed appreciation to Pakistan for facilitating market access for Canadian canola exports, the statement added.
“Both leaders acknowledged recent positive engagements, reaffirmed their commitment to advancing mutually beneficial economic cooperation, and agreed to maintain close contact,” the ministry noted.
The discussion comes amid ongoing efforts by Pakistan and Canada to bolster cooperation in agriculture and trade — sectors that have become central to their bilateral relationship.
Earlier, Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain met with Canadian High Commissioner Tarik Ali Khan in Islamabad to explore opportunities for greater collaboration in agriculture, food safety, and technology transfer, ARY News reported.
During that meeting, both sides emphasized the importance of enhancing agricultural cooperation to promote sustainable growth and improve trade in agri-based products. Minister Hussain highlighted that Pakistan and Canada enjoy long-standing, friendly relations rooted in mutual respect and shared development goals.
He pointed out that agriculture remains a vital area for partnership, noting that Pakistan’s push to modernize its agri-sector aligns well with Canada’s expanding export ambitions in Asia.
With a population exceeding 250 million, Pakistan represents a significant market for Canadian agricultural exports and potential joint ventures in processing, value addition, and agri-technology.
The minister also outlined Pakistan’s efforts to diversify edible oil imports, reducing dependence on palm oil imports worth over USD 4 billion annually and shifting toward healthier and more sustainable options like canola and soybean oils.
He said Pakistan is actively promoting domestic canola cultivation to enhance farmer incomes, reduce import reliance, and strengthen local processing industries.
According to him, canola farming has emerged as a profitable venture for local growers, supported by government initiatives in technology transfer and market facilitation.
These high-level interactions underline the shared resolve of Pakistan and Canada to enhance agricultural collaboration, expand bilateral trade, and foster long-term economic partnerships built on sustainability and mutual benefit.
