By Khawaja Hamza

Islamabad: The 2nd session of the Pakistan-Kenya Joint Trade Committee (JTC) is currently underway in Islamabad, bringing together senior officials from both countries to strengthen bilateral trade and investment cooperation.

High-level delegates from Kenya’s State Department for Trade and the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry are participating alongside Pakistani officials to finalize strategic agreements and explore new avenues for economic collaboration.

During the ongoing discussions, both sides are reviewing the status of pending Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between relevant state institutions, aimed at enhancing institutional cooperation and facilitating trade expansion.

A major focus of the session is increasing bilateral trade volume, with Pakistan and Kenya targeting trade growth to nearly $1.5 billion by the 2026–2027 period. Officials are also exploring opportunities for diversification in key sectors including pharmaceuticals, information technology (IT) services, agriculture, textiles, pink salt, tea, and avocado trade.

The meeting comes amid positive trade momentum between the two countries. According to recent trade figures, Pakistan’s exports to Kenya recorded a 32 percent increase during the first nine months of the current fiscal year, providing strong impetus for further economic engagement.

The Joint Trade Committee session is expected to conclude with renewed commitments to strengthening commercial ties, promoting investment partnerships, and enhancing regional trade connectivity between Pakistan and Kenya.