Islamabad: A delegation of senior European Union officials and business representatives from leading European companies met with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister House. The meeting took place on the occasion of the EU-Pakistan Business Forum, signifying a step towards strengthening trade and investment ties between Pakistan and the EU.

According to Press Information Department, the delegation was led by Mr. Peteris Ustubs, Director (Asia Pacific) of the European Commission’s Directorate General of International Partnerships. It included Ms. Thourya Triki from the EU Investment Bank, and senior executives from top European companies such as Adidas, Andritz, and IKEA. The EU delegation also featured the Ambassador of the European Union to Pakistan, Raimundas Karoblis.

Prime Minister Sharif welcomed the delegation, emphasizing the EU’s role as Pakistan’s largest trading partner and a key destination for Pakistani exports. He expressed hope that the EU-Pakistan Business Forum would further encourage trade and investment between the two regions. The Prime Minister assured the delegation of Pakistan’s commitment to stabilizing its economy and facilitating trade relations, despite regional challenges like rising oil prices.

The EU delegation conveyed appreciation for the Prime Minister’s efforts in regional peace and the cooperation extended by the Pakistani government in hosting the forum. Delegates discussed their investment experiences in Pakistan, highlighting potential growth opportunities in sectors such as energy, communications, and IT. The forum is expected to host over 600 business-to-business meetings.

The meeting also saw participation from Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, alongside other key ministers and advisors, underscoring the importance of the event in fostering economic relations with the EU.