Economic Diplomacy Directorate

Economic diplomacy plays a vital role in advancing a country’s national interests in an increasingly interconnected global economy by using diplomatic channels to promote trade, attract foreign investment, secure market access, and build strategic economic partnerships. Within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), the Economic Diplomacy (ED) Division performs following critical functions to achieve these goals.

1.Engagement with International and Multilateral Organizations

ED Directorate continues to engage with International and multilateral organizations with economic portfolio, to advocate national economic priorities, shape global economic policies, and mobilize development cooperation. It serves as focal point for Pakistan’s engagement, correspondence, and participation in the following organizations:

Multilateral & Regional Economic Cooperation Bodies

1. Developing-8 (D-8)
2. World Economic Forum (WEF)
3. Colombo Plan Secretariat
4. Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO)
5. Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS)
6. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)
7. Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
8. Islamic Chamber of Commerce & Development (ICCD)

United Nations System & Specialized Agencies

9. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
10. United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)
11. United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)

International Trade, Transport & Infrastructure

10. World Trade Organization (WTO)
11. International Road Transport Conventions (TIR)
12. Organization for International Carriage by Rail (OTIF)
13. International Maritime Organization (IMO)
14. International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
15. Universal Postal Union (UPU)
16. International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

Finance & Development Institutions

17. The World Bank (WB)
18. Asian Development Bank (ADB)
19. International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Knowledge, Intellectual Property & Innovation

20. World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

Health & Safety Organizations

21. International Civil Defence Organization (ICDO)

Parliamentary & Governance Institutions

22. Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)
23. Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA)

2.Diplomatic and Technical Coordination

ED Directorate ensures diplomatic and technical coordination with relevant ministries, missions abroad, and stakeholders to align foreign policy with economic objectives and effectively negotiate trade, investment, and development agreements. Main activities include:

• Coordinate participation of Government of Pakistan in high-level international summits, technical sessions, ministerial meetings, and forums hosted by these bodies.
• Provide inputs for communiqués, statements, resolutions, and negotiation texts related to economic and trade diplomacy.
• Respond to international trade inquiries from foreign missions and organizations.

3.Diplomatic Training & Capacity Building

ED Directorate strengthens diplomatic training and capacity building by equipping diplomats and officials with the necessary skills, knowledge, and analytical tools to navigate complex economic issues, thereby enhancing the country’s ability to compete, cooperate, and prosper in the global arena. It manages Pakistan’s engagement in international training cooperation, including:

• Participation of foreign diplomats in the National Management Course (NMC)
• Implementation of the Special Technical Assistance Programme (STAP)
• Coordination of Junior and Advanced Diplomatic Courses with the Foreign Service Academy
• Oversight of nominations, travel, budget utilization, and participant logistics.

4.Export Promotion and Sectoral Support

ED Directorate also extends support for international exhibitions and promotion initiatives including:

• • Defence Export Promotion Organization (DEPO) and IDEAS Defence Expos
  • Trade facilitation events in coordination with Ministry of Commerce and foreign missions
  • Follow-up on trade and investment leads shared by foreign missions in Islamabad

5.Interagency Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement

ED Directorate coordinates with President and Prime Minister’s Offices, relevant Ministries, Divisions, and agencies of Pakistan, Pakistan Missions Abroad and foreign diplomatic missions in Islamabad, Economic Affairs Division (EAD), Ministry of Commerce, and STZA and Chambers of Commerce in relation to trade and economic activities to achieve overall goals and objectives of economic growth.

Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC)

In order to facilitate, fast-track and protect foreign investments, the Government of Pakistan has established a high-level oversight committee, known as the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). The SIFC is headed by the Prime Minister of Pakistan and includes all federal and provincial Ministers, Secretaries as well as high level representation from the armed forces of Pakistan.

The Council is primarily geared towards facilitating government level, large-scale investments in the lucrative sectors of Mining and Minerals, Energy, Agriculture, livestock, IT and defense production. These sectors carry immense potential of profitability and development on win-win basis. The Government of Pakistan is open to investments in these sectors from governments of all countries in the region and beyond. Such investment will be prioritized, fast-tracked and facilitated under the supervision of SIFC at the Prime Minister’s office.

In order to enhance coordination with the SIFC Secretariat, Ministries, Pakistan Missions Abroad, Resident Missions in Islamabad and the private sector, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has established a dedicated SIFC Directorate. The Division is focused on supporting the Government’s initiatives and efforts towards trade promotion, investment promotion, exploring workforce opportunities and training, tourism promotion and economic coordination.

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