Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Trade Relations: Challenges and Prospects (2008-2015)

Abstract

The research aims to shed light on the trade relation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia from 2008 to 2015, thereby discussing the obstacles and opportunities for partnership in this domain. Even though the two countries have been bound to each other diplomatically, bilateral trade appears to have suffered from severe imbalances, as Pakistan has heavily depended on oil purchases from Saudi Arabia. Despite this, there is another side of a coin which sees many advantages entailed in the improvement of both trading and investment relations across different fields. The investigation is focused on the principles for the development of the private sector collaboration, human resource exchange, agriculture, energy, and infrastructure development etc. after having assessed other key areas. The study reviews the investment and trade possibilities of Saudi Arabia in Pakistan, covering agriculture, food security, industrial services and energy areas. Additionally, it covers Saudi Arabia’s economic and social infrastructure projects, which provide fields for Pakistani collaboration. The report further recommends the maintenance of interaction through trade agreements to tackle the pertaining hurdles and its promotion as an anchor of the relationships. Through the implementations of these strategies, the two countries can then build on their experience and cement the ties, whereas they can also ensure sustainable economic growth and development.