BY TAZEEN AKHTAR From Islamabad
ISLAMABAD : 04 May 2025 – By our Staff Reporter : Pakistan and the European Union, celebrating over 60 years of strong diplomatic and economic ties, are hosting the first High Level European Union-Pakistan Business Forum (EU-PKBF) on 14 – 15 May 2025 in Islamabad.
This landmark event, supported by the EU, its Member States, and the Government of Pakistan, aims to facilitate high level dialogue, empower partnerships and unlock opportunities for businesses in both regions. The event will be opened by the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.
Building on Pakistan’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus preferential access to the EU market and its strategic role as a hub for global expansion, the event offers unique opportunities for high-level networking, investment showcases, and direct engagement with political leaders, private sector stakeholders, and European financial institutions.
The Forum will be held at Serena Hotels Islamabad. The administration of the Forum has recommended Serena and Marriott hotels for accommodation of the participants as the finest hotels in the capital of Pakistan. The Forum organizers have shared that there are many fine hotels in Islamabad including Serena and Marriott .
Islamabad International Airport has been admired by EU Forum administration who said , it is modern and well-connected.
The emblem of the forum has two important words on it , that are Global Gateway. It seems that EU has finally recognized the connectivity importance of Pakistan. Editor of Pakistan in the World , Mr. Tazeen Akhtar reported years ago after having met with German and Portuguese ambassadors that Europe is late and China took the initiative. They were of the opinion that EPEC Eu Pakistan Economic Corridor should have been initiated before CPEC.
Beyond GSP Plus, the forum will present the EU Global Gateway strategy and the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+) as essential tools available to investors. Additionally, it provides a valuable platform to discuss the latest policy developments in both economies and gain insights into investment prospects through dialogue with government representatives, investors, and financial institutions.
The event will also mark the formal launch of the EU-Pakistan Business Network: a network of EU companies active in Pakistan. Besides being a platform of exchange between existing and potential EU companies active in Pakistan, the network is designed to further strengthen EU-Pakistan business cooperation, jointly advocate with authorities at the highest level for an improved business and investment climate, and work to promote enhanced trade and investment between the EU and Pakistan.
EU-PKBF looks forward to achieve ;
- Create opportunities for collaboration between European and Pakistani companies
- Highlight Pakistan’s investment potential in priority sectors
- Provide a structured environment for stakeholders to network, share insights, and exchange expertise on industry best practices
- Bring together relevant government and private sector representatives to present and discuss investment projects as well as pressing regulatory and market challenges
- Offer EU investors the opportunity to discuss their investment plans with Government partners, the EIB and bilateral financial institutions, and explore if these could be supported by the EU Global Gateway and EFSD+ instruments
- Emphasise the importance of sustainable practices and corporate social responsibility in fostering economic resilience
The event will bring together key EU and Pakistan businesses, economic and policy leaders, institutions and other key stakeholders. It is poised to be the key economic and business event of the year for Pakistan.
The forum will highlight how to take advantage of the EU Global Gateway and EFSD+ instrument, as tools to de-risk EU investments in Pakistan through the involvement of the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the bilateral financial institutions. It will offer the opportunity to meet relevant officers, discuss potential investment projects, and provide contacts for follow-up discussions.
Opportunity Sectors are ;
Agribusiness:
Contributing 24% to GDP, Pakistan’s agricultural exports hit EUR 8 billion in 2023-2024, with significant room for further growth in international markets. There is potential for mechanization, productivity improvements, and sustainability.
IT and Machinery:
Highlighting opportunities for sector-specific growth and collaboration, regulatory framework alignment, digital infrastructure and skill development.
Representing 23.9% of EU exports to Pakistan, this sector offers opportunities for collaboration in technology, manufacturing, and logistics.
Textile Clothing and Circularity:
Pakistan’s textile exports dominate EU trade, driven by growing demand for sustainable and ethically produced goods. Businesses can tap into new trends and markets in this sector.
Pharmaceuticals and Chemicals:
Accounting for 19.8% of EU exports to Pakistan, this sector offers potential in healthcare, agriculture, and chemical-dependent industries.
Green Logistics and Infrastructure:
Pakistan and the European Union (EU) have significant opportunities for collaboration in the energy, carbon markets and renewable sectors, driven by Pakistan’s abundant natural resources and the EU’s commitment to sustainable development.
The EU, Pakistan’s second-largest trading partner and first export destination, accounted for 15.3% of Pakistan’s total trade in 2023, with bilateral trade reaching €11.87 billion. Attending the forum provides direct access to policymakers, industry leaders, and enterprises, creating pathways for collaboration that will shape the future of EU-Pakistan trade.
Global Gateway strategy
The European Commission and the EU High Representative have set out the Global Gateway, a new European strategy to boost smart, clean and secure links in digital, energy and transport sectors and to strengthen health, education and research systems with partner countries across the world.
The GSP+ advantage
GSP+ provides tariff-free access to the EU, helping Pakistan’s exports grow by 108% since 2014. Diversifying beyond textiles offers further opportunities for partnership in other sectors.
EFSD+ (European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus)
EFSD+ enables access to blended financing, including grants and guarantees, for sustainable infrastructure, renewable energy, SME growth, and export diversification.
