Overview
- The high‑level forum in Islamabad, which opened Tuesday, launched the EU‑Pakistan Business Network to link European investors with ministries and regulators and to turn talks into deals.
- The European Investment Bank announced €160 million in loans for Pakistan, including €100 million for rebuilding about 2.1 million flood‑damaged homes in Sindh and €60 million to add two filtration plants that would boost clean water supply in Karachi.
- More than 600 B2B meetings are scheduled as companies such as Adidas, IKEA, and Andritz engage with Pakistani counterparts to scope joint ventures across manufacturing, energy, logistics, and tech.
- Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb told attendees the economy is on track for about 4% growth this fiscal year, citing a March current‑account surplus above $1 billion, reserves projected near $18 billion by June, and a $250 million Panda bond planned for May after saying no new bilateral loans are being sought.
- The EU remains Pakistan’s top export market under the GSP+ trade scheme, and officials said Global Gateway tools and local reforms such as a regulatory guillotine and expanded special economic zones aim to shift ties from preferential trade to long‑term European investment.