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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Resources Ali Pervez Malik highlighted investment opportunities in the country’s mineral sector, said an official statement on Thursday, as he met officials from ����ֱ��, Sweden and France on the sidelines of a major international conference in Sydney, Australia.

The International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) 2025, one of the world’s largest gatherings for the global mining, resources and energy industries, brings together government leaders, investors and companies to explore partnerships and sustainable development opportunities.

Mining and minerals have emerged as priority sectors for Pakistan as the government seeks to attract international companies under its broader strategy of shifting toward export-led growth.

Malik used the forum to promote Pakistan’s mineral potential and while specifically urging Saudi entrepreneurs to explore the area.

“����ֱ�� and Pakistan share a long-standing friendship and a bond of sincere goodwill,” he said after meeting Saudi Vice Minister for Industry and Mineral Resources Engineer Khalid Al-Mudaifer, according to the statement.

“We welcome Saudi investors to explore opportunities in Pakistan’s mineral and mining sectors.”

In separate meetings, Malik interacted with Sweden’s State Secretary for International Development Diana Jansse and France’s Interministerial Delegate for Strategic Minerals and Metals Supply Benjamin Gallezot, with discussions focused on cooperation and potential investment in Pakistan’s mining value chain.

Pakistan is believed to hold untapped mineral reserves worth around $6 trillion, including copper, gold, lithium, coal, rock salt and iron ore.

Despite this, the mineral sector contributes only about 3.2 percent to national GDP, and mineral exports account for less than 0.1 percent of global trade in those commodities.

Malik also met World Bank Operations Manager for the Pacific Region Naveed Naqvi at the Pakistani Consulate in Sydney and later held talks with members of the Pakistani business community based in Australia.

He said Pakistan’s recent policy reforms and improvements in its credit ratings reflected growing confidence in the country’s economic direction.

“Overseas Pakistanis have always played an important role in strengthening the national economy,” he added.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday proposed forming a joint working group with Qatar to expand cooperation in the agriculture sector and identify priority projects, according to state media, while offering to supply a range of food and livestock products to the Gulf country.

Agriculture accounts for about 19 percent of Pakistan’s gross domestic product, and the country has been seeking to raise its productivity and tap new export markets.

The proposal was made during a meeting in Islamabad between Pakistan’s Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain and Qatari Ambassador Ali bin Mubarak Al Khater.

“The minister said Pakistan has vast potential to supply high-quality agricultural products, especially halal meat, fruits, vegetables, rice and livestock fodder,” Radio Pakistan said in a report.

“He suggested forming a joint working group in the agriculture sector to develop a formal framework for bilateral cooperation and identify priority projects,” it added.

Hussain also briefed the envoy on new agricultural products, including the production and export of camel milk powder, and invited Qatari investors to explore Pakistan’s farming and food-processing sectors.

He assured of government facilitation under the country’s pro-business policies.

The Qatari ambassador reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening business-to-business ties, according to the report.

He said Pakistan’s rich agricultural base and skilled workforce could play a key role in achieving Qatar’s Food Security Vision 2030.

The envoy also added that Qatar’s commerce minister would soon visit Islamabad to discuss new investment opportunities.