ISLAMABAD, AUG 30 /DNA/ – In a major diplomatic and economic breakthrough, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has personally spearheaded high-stakes negotiations with Saudi Arabia, culminating in a landmark agreement to boost Pakistan’s agricultural exports to the Kingdom to $3 billion over the next two years.
The breakthrough came during a three-day official visit (August 26–28) of a high-powered Saudi delegation led by Engineer Abdulrahman A. Al-Fadley, Saudi Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture. The delegation, which included senior officials from the General Food Security Authority, held extensive talks with Pakistan’s Federal Minister for National Food Security & Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, and other key stakeholders including the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), Fauji Foundation, and private sector leaders.
In a joint statement issued at the conclusion of the visit, both sides reaffirmed their “deep, historical, and fraternal ties” and underscored the strong alignment between Saudi Vision 2030’s food security goals and Pakistan’s agricultural production capacity.
Priority Sectors Identified
To achieve the ambitious $3 billion export target, both nations have zeroed in on five priority sectors:
- Rice – Building on 2025’s supply of 169,000 metric tons (valued at $163 million), Saudi Arabia has signaled strong interest in scaling up imports.
- Red Meat – Current annual exports of 30,000 metric tons ($167 million) are set to be progressively doubled.
- Fruits & Fruit Concentrates – B2B linkages and mutual recognition of quality certifications will be fast-tracked to expand Pakistan’s market share.
- Green Fodder – Following the successful completion of Phase-I of a water-efficient irrigation program in Bhakkar, Punjab, Phase-II will now target smallholder farmers.
- Water-Efficient Agricultural Technologies – Joint investment and knowledge transfer are also on the table.
Investment & Institutional Support
The Saudi delegation reviewed investment proposals from Pakistan’s private sector in livestock, agri-food processing, and rice value chains. Both sides agreed to maintain close coordination to convert these proposals into tangible projects. The Saudi side also encouraged Pakistan to join the International Dates Council—a proposal warmly received by Islamabad.
Looking Ahead
Pakistan has accepted an invitation to participate in the 43rd Saudi Agriculture Exhibition, scheduled for October 19–22, 2026, in Riyadh—a key platform to showcase its export potential.
Prime Minister Sharif hailed the outcome as a “game-changer” for Pakistan’s economy, stating that the agreement would not only enhance foreign exchange earnings but also create thousands of jobs along the agricultural value chain. Saudi Minister Al-Fadley described the visit as “highly productive” and expressed confidence in meeting the $3 billion target through sustained partnership.
Both nations have committed to maintaining momentum and holding follow-up meetings to ensure swift implementation of the mutual agreements.
