Islamabad (GNP)
Portugal Plans High-Level Trade Minister Visit to Pakistan This Year
Ambassador of Portugal to Pakistan, Paulo Domingues, informed the 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.
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; and Omar Hashmi, Director FPCCI, were also part of the delegation. Ms. Houria Sheikh, Trade & Cultural Officer, and Ms. Riffat Fatima, Political Officer, Embassy of Portugal, also attended the meeting.
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.
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 cooperation in healthcare, information technology, textiles, agriculture, real estate, manufacturing, entrepreneurship, and investment, while facilitating direct business-to-business meetings with Portuguese companies and institutions.
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 said FPCCI would host a Pakistan–Portugal Business Forum in honour of the visiting Trade Minister, bringing together chambers of commerce, trade associations, leading exporters, investors, and representatives of the private sector from across Pakistan.
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Haider Raza Naqvi, Founder and President of the Mandi Bahauddin Chamber of Commerce & Industry, extended a special invitation to Ambassador Paulo Domingues to visit Mandi Bahauddin and Hafizabad to witness the region’s historical heritage and economic potential. He said such a visit would provide first-hand knowledge of Pakistan’s internationally recognized rice industry, thriving textile sector, modern agricultural practices, and agro-based enterprises. He noted that direct interaction with local industries and entrepreneurs would further strengthen trade, investment, tourism, and people-to-people relations between Pakistan and Portugal.
Malik Sohail Hussain further stated that 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. He expressed confidence that the proposed trade delegation and Pakistan–Portugal Business Forum would lay the foundation for a long-term economic partnership, contributing to increased bilateral trade, investment, and sustainable economic cooperation between Pakistan and Portugal.
