Pakistan seeks Canadian investment in packaging, processing for Middle East food exports

PAKISTAN – Pakistan has sought Canadian investment in agricultural processing and packaging to supply Middle East markets, as Islamabad shifts its export strategy toward higher-value, branded goods rather than raw commodity shipments.

Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan met Canadian High Commissioner Tarik Ali Khan in Islamabad to discuss expanding bilateral trade and investment, covering dairy development, animal genetics, edible oils, fruit concentrates and food processing. 

The minister stressed the need to move beyond commodity trade by establishing joint ventures capable of processing Pakistani agricultural products and exporting them to Middle East markets. 

The commerce ministry said investment was being sought across processing, packaging, cold storage and certification rather than relying heavily on sales of raw commodities.

Packaging Value Addition Anchors Export Strategy

Packaging sits at the centre of Pakistan’s push to capture greater value from its agricultural sector.

Raw fruit, dairy and edible oil exports typically leave the country in bulk formats generating limited foreign exchange, while finished consumer goods require primary and secondary packaging that can be produced domestically. 

Establishing processing and packaging capacity locally would allow Pakistani producers to supply retail-ready formats to Gulf markets, which import much of their food and increasingly demand branded products meeting international labelling and shelf-life standards. 

Cold storage investment would extend the viable export window for perishable goods, while certification infrastructure would enable compliance with regulatory requirements in destination markets.

FIPA Negotiations Resume in October

Pakistan and Canada expect to hold a new round of negotiations on a long-running investment protection agreement in the first week of October, with officials seeking to resolve outstanding issues. 

The proposed Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement is intended to give investors greater certainty through legal protections and mechanisms for arbitration and dispute resolution. 

Canada and Pakistan began the latest series of formal negotiations in Islamabad in October 2025 and held a second round in Ottawa in June. 

Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand and Pakistani officials agreed during her July visit to Islamabad to work toward concluding negotiations at the earliest opportunity.

Leadership Cites Strategic Location and Market Access

Khan said Pakistan’s strategic location, expanding market and connectivity with China, Central Asia and the Middle East offered significant opportunities to Canadian companies.

He added that Pakistan was as ambitious as Canada in taking the process forward, with an objective of resolving outstanding matters and establishing a strong, mutually beneficial framework for long-term economic cooperation. 

The Canadian high commissioner described FIPA as a foundation for increasing Canadian investment in Pakistan, saying a predictable and secure investment framework was essential to encourage greater participation by Canadian companies.

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