Federal Minister for the Board of Investment (BOI), Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, held an important meeting with a German delegation led by Mr. Matthew D. Shaw, Country Representative of BVMW (German Mittelstand) in Pakistan, to discuss avenues for enhancing bilateral investment, SME cooperation, and economic connectivity between Pakistan and Germany.
The Federal Minister warmly welcomed the delegation and appreciated Mr. Shaw’s longstanding association with Pakistan. He acknowledged Mr. Shaw’s role in strengthening Pakistan-Germany business relations and facilitating linkages between SMEs in both countries, according to an official information today.
Mr. Matthew D. Shaw, who has been serving as BVMW’s Country Representative in Pakistan since 2024, briefed the Federal Minister on the role of BVMW as Germany’s largest SME association, representing more than 30,000 companies and maintaining a presence in 80 countries. He stated that he first visited Pakistan in 2008 and had since developed a strong connection with the country, establishing multiple business ventures in sectors including financial services, oil and gas, LPG, real estate, marketing, and information technology.
The Federal Minister appreciated Mr. Shaw’s commitment and noted that such engagements reflected growing international confidence in Pakistan’s economy. He emphasized that the government was actively promoting a business-friendly environment through regulatory reforms and facilitation measures led by the Board of Investment.
During the meeting, Mr. Shaw informed the Federal Minister about his efforts to bring 20 to 30 German companies to Pakistan and facilitate Pakistani businesses’ access to European markets through the EU-Pakistan Business Network. He requested continued support from the Federal Minister and the BOI in achieving these objectives.
Mr. Shaw also invited the Federal Minister to attend Germany’s upcoming ‘Futures Day,’ stating that the Minister’s participation would send a strong global message that Pakistan is open for business. In a light-hearted exchange, Mr. Shaw remarked that ‘Qaiser’ (Kaiser) means ‘king’ in German, while ‘Sheikh’ carries a similarly respected significance in Arabic.
Federal Minister Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh highlighted Pakistan’s immense economic potential, particularly its young population, noting that nearly 60 percent of the country’s population comprises youth. He stressed that Pakistan offers vast opportunities across multiple sectors and that these opportunities must be projected more effectively on the international stage.
The Federal Minister further shared his strong background in the business community, including his tenure as former President of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and noted his longstanding engagement with German companies. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to promoting joint ventures and facilitating foreign investors.
The delegation appreciated the Federal Minister’s leadership and the ongoing regulatory reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business. Mr. Shaw observed that German investors are generally risk-averse and stated that the reforms being pursued under the Minister’s guidance were critical to building investor confidence.
Discussions also focused on facilitating SMEs through access to high-quality European machinery. Mr. Shaw informed the Federal Minister about initiatives to provide guaranteed loans of up to pound 10 million for Pakistani SMEs to procure German, Swiss, and Austrian equipment, along with plans to establish an SME-focused investment fund.
The Federal Minister welcomed these initiatives and assured the delegation of the Board of Investment’s full support. He stated that the BOI would extend every possible facilitation to investors and partners working towards Pakistan’s economic growth.
Mr. Shaw also briefed the Federal Minister on plans to establish vocational training institutions in Pakistan to equip young people with skills aligned with the requirements of the German market, thereby creating employment opportunities abroad and boosting remittances. He also advocated for easing visa procedures for Pakistani nationals.
The Federal Minister acknowledged these proposals and emphasized the importance of skill development, international market access, and institutional collaboration to bridge gaps between Pakistani businesses and their European counterparts.
The delegation appreciated the proactive role of the Federal Minister and the Board of Investment in promoting investment and facilitating international partnerships.
The Board of Investment, under the leadership of Federal Minister Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, remains fully committed to fostering international collaboration, supporting SMEs, and positioning Pakistan as a competitive and attractive destination for global investment.