High Level EU-Pakistan Business Forum: Stronger Together

60+ Years of partnership: a new chapter begins

Pakistan and the European Union, celebrating over 60 years of strong diplomatic and economic ties, are hosting the first High Level European Union-Pakistan Business Forum (EU-PKBF) on 28–29 April 2026 in Islamabad. This landmark event, supported by the EU, its Member States, and the Government of Pakistan, aims to facilitate high level dialogue, empower partnerships and unlock opportunities for businesses in both regions. The event will be opened by the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.

Unlocking opportunities for growth

Building on Pakistan’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus preferential access to the EU market and its strategic role as a hub for global expansion, the event offers unique opportunities for high-level networking, investment showcases, and direct engagement with political leaders, private sector stakeholders, and European financial institutions.

Beyond GSP Plus, the forum will present the EU Global Gateway strategy as essential tools available to investors Additionally, it provides a valuable platform to discuss the latest policy developments in both economies and gain insights into investment prospects through dialogue with government representatives, investors, and financial institutions.

Building bridges: launch of the EU-Pakistan Business Network

The event will also mark the formal launch of the EU-Pakistan Business Network: a network of EU companies active in Pakistan. Besides being a platform of exchange between existing and potential EU companies active in Pakistan, the network is designed to further strengthen EU-Pakistan business cooperation, jointly advocate with authorities at the highest level for an improved business and investment climate, and work to promote enhanced trade and investment between the EU and Pakistan. 

What the Forum will achieve

The EU-Pakistan Business Forum 2026 strives to:

• Create opportunities for collaboration between European and Pakistani companies
• Highlight Pakistan’s investment potential in priority sectors
• Provide a structured environment for stakeholders to network, share insights, and exchange expertise on industry best practices
• Bring together relevant government and private sector representatives to present and discuss investment projects as well as pressing regulatory and market challenges
• Offer EU investors the opportunity to discuss their investment plans with Government partners, the EIB and bilateral financial institutions, and explore if these could be supported by the EU Global Gateway and EFSD+ instruments
• Emphasise the importance of sustainable practices and corporate social responsibility in fostering economic resilience

The event will bring together key EU and Pakistan businesses, economic and policy leaders, institutions and other key stakeholders. It is poised to be the key economic and business event of the year for Pakistan.

The forum will highlight how businesses can leverage the EU Global Gateway strategy, including financing opportunities provided through the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the bilateral financial institutions. It will offer the opportunity to meet relevant officers, discuss potential investment projects, and provide contacts for follow-up discussions.

Why attend the Forum?

With a rapidly growing market of over 240 million people, strategic geographical access to Central and South Asia, and a dynamic trade relationship with the EU, Pakistan offers immense business opportunities.

The EU, Pakistan’s second-largest trading partner and first export destination, accounted for 15.3% of Pakistan’s total trade in 2023, with bilateral trade reaching €11.87 billion.

Attending the forum provides direct access to policymakers, industry leaders, and enterprises, creating pathways for collaboration that will shape the future of EU-Pakistan trade.

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