Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced that Maldives and Pakistan are targeting to increase the current USD 13.9 million annual trade between the countries to USD 200 million within the next two years. 

In a joint press briefing held after official talks during President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's ongoing official visit to Pakistan, Prime Minister Sharif noted that the current rate of trade is very low compared to the economic capabilities of both countries. 

To strengthen these bilateral relations, the two countries have signed 20 MoUs in areas ranging from trade and business, defence, health and digital infrastructure. 

Prime Minister Sharif assured that he will closely monitor the implementation of these MoUs. 

The MoUs cover several areas, such as Pakistan providing technical assistance towards the establishment of data centres in Male' and the atolls, and provision of assistance to Maldivian students studying at Pakistan's medical universities. 

Prime Minister Sharif also noted that the two countries share similar views on regional and global issues. He praised Maldives' stance on Palestine, and reiterated that Pakistan, too, completely supports the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in line with UN resolutions. 

President Muizzu's ongoing visit to Pakistan is the first such visit by a Maldivian Head of State in over a decade. The last official visit to Pakistan was by former President Abdulla Yameen in 2015. 

This year also marks 60 years of diplomatic relations between Maldives and Pakistan.