Islamabad: Islamabad will host the first high-level EU–Pakistan Business Forum on April 28–29, marking a shift in bilateral ties from trade-focused engagement to an investment-led partnership.
The event, backed by the European Union, comes as part of its €400 billion Global Gateway initiative aimed at boosting global connectivity and sustainable development. Officials say the forum reflects growing efforts to position Pakistan within evolving global supply chains.
Policymakers, investors, financial institutions, and business leaders from Europe and Pakistan are expected to attend. The forum will focus on key sectors including agri-business, digital innovation and fintech, green logistics, textiles and apparel, and responsible mining.
The EU is Pakistan’s largest export destination and a major source of foreign direct investment. However, both sides are now seeking to expand cooperation beyond trade into technology partnerships, industrial collaboration, and long-term investment.
More than 300 European companies already operate in Pakistan, contributing to employment and integration into global value chains. The two-day forum will also feature over 600 scheduled business-to-business meetings aimed at facilitating concrete deals.
EU Ambassador to Pakistan Raimundas Karoblis said the initiative is designed to deepen private sector engagement and support Pakistan’s transition towards a more competitive and sustainable economy.
Officials view the forum as part of a broader push to attract foreign investment while aligning with EU standards in governance, sustainability, and transparency.
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