Lahore: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif met with the newly appointed French Ambassador to Pakistan, Jean-Noël Poirier, to discuss enhancing bilateral relations and exploring investment opportunities between Punjab and France. The meeting aimed to strengthen trade, industrial cooperation, and economic ties between the two regions.
According to Directorate General Public Relation – Govt of Punjab, during the meeting, discussions centered on expanding economic, commercial, and investment cooperation, with an emphasis on fostering provincial-level partnerships between Punjab and French institutions. The chief minister invited French investors to explore opportunities in Punjab’s agriculture, industrial, and livestock sectors through the PIVOT initiative, highlighting potential areas for technology transfer and economic growth.
The French ambassador extended an invitation to the chief minister to visit France to further explore trade and economic relations. CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif expressed her interest in strengthening commercial and industrial ties and acknowledged the significance of Pakistan’s GSP+ status for exports, particularly from Punjab’s key industries.
The chief minister underscored the importance of French support in maintaining Pakistan’s trade interests within the European Union and emphasized the need for alignment with the new GSP+ framework. She noted that the EU is Pakistan’s largest trading partner, and continuous diplomatic engagement with France is crucial for consolidating trade relations.
Maryam Nawaz thanked France for a €180 million loan for energy infrastructure projects in Punjab and highlighted investment opportunities in urban infrastructure and environmental management. She identified specific areas for cooperation, including agriculture modernization, water supply, and energy projects, where French companies could contribute under the public-private partnership model.
The meeting reaffirmed the commitment of both sides to strengthen bilateral relations through sustained diplomatic engagement, increased trade, and industrial partnerships, reflecting the longstanding friendship and shared aspirations between Pakistan and France.