Pakistan, Belgium seek closer maritime institutional ties

Pakistan and Belgium have agreed to strengthen coordination between their maritime institutions and explore opportunities for training and exchange programmes for students of the two countries. The understanding was reached during a meeting between Belgian Ambassador Idesbald Van der Gracht and Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry at the ministry. The two sides discussed cooperation in maritime education, institutional linkages, port development and the broader potential of the blue economy. Chaudhry said the Pakistan Marine Academy was being upgraded to a degree-awarding institution and that most of the work on the initiative had been completed. He said Pakistani students could benefit from training and educational opportunities at Belgian maritime institutions. Under a proposed exchange programme, students from both countries would have opportunities to learn from each other’s experiences and expertise. The minister said there was considerable potential for cooperation between Pakistan and Belgium in the marine sector, adding that sharing expertise and institutional experience could help both countries develop their blue economies. The discussion a