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Pakistan and the European Union will host high level EU–Pakistan Business Forum on April 28 and 29, 2026, in Islamabad, in a major effort to deepen trade and investment ties. The two day event will be held at the Serena Hotel and will be opened by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The forum is being organized with the support of the EU its member states and the Government of Pakistan. It aims to bring together businesses, policymakers and financial institutions to turn economic dialogue into practical cooperation and investment.
A new chapter in EU–Pakistan economic ties
Pakistan and the European Union share more than 60 years of diplomatic and economic relations. The forum is being presented as the start of a new phase in this partnership with a stronger focus on business, investment and long term economic cooperation.
Officials say the event will serve as a flagship platform to connect decision makers and the private sector and to promote Pakistan as a serious destination for international investment.
From GSP+ to Global Gateway: what is on the table
Pakistan’s access to the EU market under the GSP+ scheme has helped boost exports over the past decade. At the forum, attention will move beyond trade preferences to wider investment cooperation.
The EU will highlight its Global Gateway strategy and the EFSD+ financing tools while the European Investment Bank and other institutions will discuss funding options for projects in energy, infrastructure, digital and other sectors.
Investment, sectors and business opportunities
The forum will showcase opportunities in the green economy, agriculture, energy, textile and leather, digital services, health, innovation, connectivity and infrastructure.
With a population of over 240 million and a key regional location Pakistan is being promoted as a hub for trade and investment linking South and Central Asia, the Middle East and beyond.
Launch of the EU–Pakistan Business Network
A key announcement at the event will be the launch of the EU–Pakistan Business Network which will bring together European companies operating in Pakistan.
The network will work as a platform for dialogue with authorities, help improve the business climate and promote stronger and more organized cooperation between European and Pakistani companies.
How the forum will work: meetings, projects
The two day event will include high-level sessions, sector-focused discussions, exhibitions and extensive networking.
There will be business-to-business and business-to-government meetings while Pakistan’s Board of Investment will present selected investment projects. Investors will also be able to meet European and Pakistani financial institutions to discuss financing options.
Why this forum matters for Pakistan’s economy
The EU is Pakistan’s second largest trading partner and its biggest export destination. In 2023, bilateral trade reached nearly €12 billion accounting for over 15 percent of Pakistan’s total trade.
At a time when Pakistan is trying to increase exports and attract foreign investment the forum is seen as a chance to send a strong signal that the country is open for business and focused on reforms and sustainable growth.
Looking ahead
The EU–Pakistan Business Forum 2026 is being billed as more than just a conference. Both sides want it to become a practical platform that delivers real economic results and long-term partnerships.
More details and registration are available at:
https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/high-level-eu-pakistan-business-forum-stronger-together_en#paragraph_6646
