Portugal Trade Minister To Visit Pakistan In Autumn To Expand Economic Cooperation.
Ambassador of Portugal to Pakistan, Paulo Domingues, informed a delegation that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Portugal is planning a high-level visit by the Portuguese Minister responsible for Trade to Pakistan during September or October this year. The visit is expected to further strengthen bilateral economic engagement and provide an opportunity for discussions with the Government of Pakistan on expanding trade and investment cooperation.
Pakistan and Portugal have agreed to strengthen bilateral trade and investment cooperation through enhanced business-to-business engagement, exchange of trade delegations, and closer collaboration between the private sectors of both countries.
These views were expressed during a meeting between His Excellency Paulo Domingues, Ambassador of Portugal to Pakistan, and a delegation of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) at the Embassy of Portugal in Islamabad.
The FPCCI delegation was led by Malik Sohail Hussain, Chairman Coordination, FPCCI, on behalf of Atif Ikram Sheikh, President FPCCI, President ECO-CCI, Senior Vice President SAARC CCI, Vice President CACCI, and Deputy Chairman SCO Business Council.
High-Level Institutional Engagement
The meeting also included notable representatives from regional chambers:
- Haider Raza Naqvi: Founder and President, Mandi Bahauddin Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
- Aun Raza Naqvi: Patron-in-Chief, Mandi Bahauddin and Hafizabad Chambers of Commerce & Industry.
- Omar Hashmi: Director FPCCI.
- Ms. Houria Sheikh & Ms. Riffat Fatima: Trade & Cultural Officer and Political Officer respectively at the Embassy of Portugal.
The meeting focused on expanding bilateral trade, promoting investment opportunities, and strengthening institutional cooperation between the business communities of Pakistan and Portugal. Both sides emphasized the importance of economic diplomacy in creating sustainable commercial partnerships and facilitating greater private-sector collaboration.
Proposed Trade Delegation and Sector Focus
During the discussions, it was agreed in principle to organize a high-powered FPCCI trade delegation to Portugal comprising representatives from the Hafizabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Mandi Bahauddin Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and Sargodha Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
The proposed delegation will explore opportunities for direct business-to-business meetings with Portuguese companies across several core sectors:
- Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals
- Information Technology
- Textiles and Manufacturing
- Agriculture and Agro-based Enterprises
- Real Estate and Entrepreneurship
Pakistan–Portugal Business Forum Announced
Speaking on the occasion, Malik Sohail Hussain welcomed the proposed ministerial visit and reaffirmed FPCCI’s commitment to promoting stronger commercial relations between Pakistan and Portugal. He announced that FPCCI would host a Pakistan–Portugal Business Forum in honour of the visiting Trade Minister, bringing together chambers of commerce, trade associations, leading exporters, and private sector investors from across Pakistan.
“FPCCI remains committed to translating diplomatic engagement into tangible commercial outcomes by facilitating direct business partnerships, encouraging joint ventures, and promoting sector-specific investment opportunities,” Malik Sohail Hussain stated.
Haider Raza Naqvi extended a special invitation to Ambassador Paulo Domingues to visit Mandi Bahauddin and Hafizabad to witness the region’s economic potential first-hand. He noted that such a visit would showcase Pakistan’s internationally recognized rice industry and thriving textile sector, which could catalyze trade, investment, tourism, and stronger people-to-people ties between the two nations.
