ISLAMABAD: Pakis­tan and Cam­bodia have agreed to work toward establishing a Prefere­ntial Trade Agreement (PTA) to support deeper commercial cooperation, Cambodia’s Minister of Commerce Cham Nimul said on Tuesday.

The Cambodian minister said the primary purpose of her visit to Pakistan was to explore new trade and investment opportunities through structured business to business linkages. During the visit, Cham Nimul met with Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and visited the IICCI and FPCCI to engage with the local business community.

Speaking at the ICCI, Cambodia’s Minister of Commerce Cham Nimul said that PTA would help translate strong trade potential into actionable outcomes, ensure faster market access, streamline clearance procedures, and provide a viable pathway for Pakistani investment, particularly in support of Cambodia’s healthcare needs and regional competitiveness.

Inviting Pakistani entrepreneurs to invest in Cambodia, Ms Nimul highlighted the country’s Special Economic Zones, which offer incentives including tax holidays, import duty exemptions, and streamlined administrative services under the Council for the Development of Cambodia.

She also expressed keen interest in footwear, surgical instruments, and pharmaceutical sectors, where Pakistan has developed internationally recognised capabilities, export-ready manufacturing bases, and compliance with global quality standards.­

Published in Dawn, February 11th, 2026