Karoblis says there is significant scope for expanding EU-Pakistan economic ties

LAHORE: European Union Ambassador to Pakistan Raimundas Karoblis has said there is significant scope for expanding Pakistan-EU economic ties through higher exports, greater investment, technology transfer and stronger business-to-business (B2B) cooperation.

He was speaking to a delegation of the All Pakistan Business Forum (APBF), led by President Syed Maaz Mahmood, during a meeting that discussed bilateral trade and investment, joint ventures, GSP+ market access, SMEs, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), and emerging regulatory requirements in the European market.

Karoblis said Pakistan had benefited considerably from the GSP+ scheme and could further enhance its gains by fully implementing ILO conventions, diversifying exports, increasing value addition and developing a skilled workforce.

According to the latest European Commission assessment, Pakistan’s exports to the EU reached about €8.3 billion, accounting for around 28 percent of the country’s total exports. The EU remained Pakistan’s largest export market, with textiles and clothing constituting about 75 percent of exports to the bloc. Bilateral trade in goods stood at €12.2 billion in 2025.

The ambassador stressed the need for greater interaction between Pakistani and European businesses to identify new areas of cooperation, while highlighting skills development and workforce preparation.

APBF President Syed Maaz Mahmood called for stronger and more practical economic engagement with the EU, particularly through B2B contacts, investment and joint ventures. He also urged greater support for SMEs to meet European certification, documentation and compliance requirements and make fuller use of GSP+ market access.

He said many Pakistani SMEs faced difficulties in meeting the cost of international certifications and increasingly stringent European standards, adding that technical assistance and easier access to information could help them enter European supply chains.

The APBF offered to facilitate direct interaction between Pakistani and European companies through B2B meetings, sector-specific linkages and joint ventures.

The delegation also appreciated EU support for TVET programmes, saying a better-skilled workforce could strengthen Pakistan’s domestic economy and overseas employment prospects. EU-supported programmes have focused on demand-driven skills and employment opportunities.

The meeting was attended by senior representatives of business and industrial associations, including Mian Faheem Qamar, Haroon Ali Khan, Shahzad Azam, Brigadier (R) M Sajid Khokhar, Nasir Ali Zia, Aziz Ullah Goheer, M Naeem and Zohaib Butt.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026