Business Recorder
ISLAMABAD: With the European Union’s €400 billion Global Gateway investment programme in focus, Islamabad is set to host the bloc’s first-ever high-level EU–Pakistan Business Forum later this month — a move that signals a shift from trade-driven ties to an investment-led partnership aimed at repositioning Pakistan in evolving global supply chains. Scheduled for April 28–29 in Islamabad, the forum will bring together policymakers, European and Pakistani business leaders, investors, and financial institutions at what officials describe as a “pivotal moment” in bilateral economic engagement. The European Union remains Pakistan’s largest export destination and a major source of global foreign direct investment, but both sides are now seeking to shift the relationship beyond trade into deeper investment, technology partnerships, and industrial collaboration. READ MORE: PM Shehbaz says looking forward to inaugurating Pak-EU Business Forum next month The forum will focus on key sectors including agri-business, digital innovation and fintech, green logistics, textiles and apparel, and responsible mining — areas aligned with Pakistan’s economic transformation agenda as well as the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, a €400 billion investment programme aimed at strengthening global connectivity and sustainable development. More than 300 European companies already operate in Pakistan, contributing to employment and integration into global value chains, while new entrants are expected to explore opportunities during the two-day event. EU Ambassador to Pakistan Raimundas Karoblis said the forum is designed to deepen private sector engagement and support Pakistan’s transition towards a more competitive and sustainable economy. The event will also feature over 600 scheduled business-to-business meetings, alongside interactions between investors and European financial institutions, aimed at facilitating concrete deal-making rather than remaining a policy dialogue platform. Officials say the initiative reflects a broader effort to position Pakistan as a viable investment destination amid shifting global supply chains, while leveraging EU standards in governance, sustainability, and transparency to enhance long-term economic cooperation. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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