The European Union and Pakistan will hold a landmark business forum in 2026 to expand a trade relationship already exceeding pound 12 billion, a crucial initiative announced as the nation prepares for the next review cycle of its vital GSP Plus status.
According to a report today, the announcement came during a visit by the EU Ambassador to Pakistan, Raimundas Karoblis, to the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI). Atif Ikram Sheikh, President of the FPCCI, confirmed that the inaugural European Union-Pakistan Business Forum (EU-PKBF) is scheduled for April 28-29, 2026, in Islamabad. This high-profile event is designed to foster top-level discussions, empower new partnerships, and unlock commercial opportunities for enterprises in both regions.
Supported by the EU, its member states, and the Pakistani government, the forum is anticipated to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, marking a significant step in the 60-year diplomatic and economic history between the two partners.
In a statement, Mr. Sheikh emphasized the EU”s role as one of Pakistan’s most significant trading partners, underscoring that the GSP Plus status has been instrumental in boosting national exports. “We are grateful to the EU for its support and look forward to working closely to meet all 27 international conventions for the next cycle,” he said, reaffirming the FPCCI”s commitment to assisting European investors.
The FPCCI president also pledged to facilitate joint ventures across diverse sectors, including renewable energy, information technology, value-added textiles, agricultural processing, and logistics.
Ambassador Karoblis acknowledged the pivotal role of the FPCCI as the country’s apex trade body and reiterated the EU”s dedication to deepening economic ties. “Pakistan is a very important partner for the European Union,” the envoy stated. “The EU will continue supporting Pakistan’s sustainable economic growth, particularly through the GSP Plus scheme, social and environmental initiatives and enhanced people-to-people contacts.”
Asif Inam, Vice President of the FPCCI, noted that the ambassador”s visit reflects the mutual confidence between Pakistan”s private sector and the European Union. He assured the ambassador of the business community”s full cooperation in enhancing trade volumes and attracting more foreign direct investment (FDI) from EU member states, positioning the FPCCI as a facilitator to resolve any issues for European firms in Pakistan.
Zubair Baweja, who heads the FPCCI’s Pak-EU Desk, stressed the importance of the engagement in fostering direct business linkages. “We are eager to collaborate with Ambassador Karoblis on targeted initiatives to leverage GSP Plus opportunities, promote sustainable supply chains, and facilitate market access for Pakistani exporters in key EU sectors like green technologies and value-added manufacturing,” Mr. Baweja commented.