Islamabad: Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan on Tuesday extended an invitation to German companies to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan and participate in the upcoming FoodAg exhibition in Karachi. This call came as part of discussions between Pakistan and Germany aimed at enhancing bilateral trade, investment, and business-to-business cooperation.

According to Press Information Department, the discussions took place during a meeting with German Ambassador to Pakistan Ina Lepel, who met with the Federal Minister for Commerce. The meeting was also attended by Rana Isaan Afzal, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Commerce and Industries, Secretary Commerce Jawad Paul, and senior officials from the Ministry of Commerce.

During the meeting, Jam Kamal Khan acknowledged Germany’s longstanding economic partnership with Pakistan and its role within the European Union’s GSP Plus scheme. He emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to meeting international obligations and enhancing coordination among federal ministries and provincial governments. Ambassador Lepel noted Pakistan’s legislative progress in areas relevant to GSP Plus and stressed the importance of translating these measures into effective implementation and measurable results.

Ambassador Lepel encouraged continued coordination among federal ministries, provincial governments, and stakeholders, highlighting the potential for cooperation in agriculture, food processing, technology, manufacturing, and renewable energy. She also addressed Pakistan’s Basmati rice Geographical Indication issue, underscoring the importance of protecting producers’ interests through appropriate legal mechanisms.

The Federal Minister invited German companies to participate in the FoodAg exhibition, emphasizing the potential for collaboration in agricultural machinery, food processing, and livestock breeding. Ambassador Lepel welcomed the invitation, recognizing it as an opportunity to enhance bilateral engagement and practical cooperation.

Additionally, the German side shared plans for Pakistani businesspeople to attend a livestock trade fair in Germany, aiming to facilitate knowledge transfer and strengthen commercial linkages. Ambassador Lepel also invited the Federal Minister to the 19th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business in Seoul, expressing interest in furthering discussions on trade, investment, and economic partnerships.