EU envoy vows to strengthen diplomatic, economic ties with Pakistan

Islamabad : In a major push to strengthen economic cooperation with Pakistan, the European Union (EU) has announced it is gearing up to host the first high-level EU-Pakistan Business Forum in Islamabad on May 14 and 15.

EU Ambassador Riina Kionka highlighted the event as a landmark initiative aimed at bringing together entrepreneurs, investors and policymakers from both regions.

“For over six decades, the EU and Pakistan have shared strong diplomatic and economic relations. Now, we take a bold step forward to further strengthen these ties through EU-Pakistan Business Forum," she said in a message.

The ambassador said the event would empower business partnerships and unlock investment opportunities to enable the EU and Pakistan grow stronger together.

"Whether you are looking to expand, collaborate, innovate or just explore possibilities, the EU-Pakistan Business Forum is your platform,” she said.

Kionka also met with commerce minister Jam Kamal Khan and invited him to deliver closing remarks at the European Union-Pakistan Business Forum. She said the forum aimed to facilitate high-level dialogue, strengthen business partnerships and unlock trade and investment opportunities between the EU and Pakistan.

"The event will feature investment presentations, B2B and B2G matchmaking sessions, with a focus on key sectors such as agribusiness, IT, machinery, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and green infrastructure."

The EU ambassador also highlighted the launch of the EU-Pakistan Business Network in during the Forum, saying the EUPBN, comprising more than 300 EU companies operating in Pakistan, will serve as a unified voice of European businesses, fostering investment and trade relations. Minister Jam Kamal welcomed those initiatives and appreciated the EU’s support for Pakistan's economic development.

He said that the growing engagement between Pakistan and the EU would create stronger business ties and new investment opportunities.

"The EU is Pakistan’s second-largest trading partner and primary export destination, accounting for around €12 billion in bilateral trade in 2024. The EU-Pakistan Business Forum will further deepen the long-standing economic and diplomatic partnership between Pakistan and the European Union," he said.

The EU ambassador has personally invited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and finance minister Muhammad Aurangzeb to the EU-Pakistan Business Forum, reaching out to them directly to ensure their participation.