Swedish, Nordic firms, Pakistani textile makers explore green solutions

ISLAMABAD: Swedish and Nordic companies, Pakistani textile manufacturers and industry partners came together in Karachi for the second matchmaking event under the Sustainable Textile Platform by Sweden. Launched in 2024 by the Embassy of Sweden in Pakistan and Business Sweden, the Sustainable Textile Platform brings together Swedish and Pakistani stakeholders to promote dialogue, knowledge exchange and business cooperation around sustainable textile production, and explore practical solutions to support the green transition of Pakistan’s textile sector.

The Platform previously hosted a policy dialogue on access to green energy in the spring of 2025 in Islamabad, followed by its first matchmaking event last year in Karachi.

During the first ever EU Business Forum this spring, STP participated in the plenary session on sustainable textile. This year’s matchmaking brought together local suppliers working with Swedish brands - IKEA and H&M, Nordic technology providers and other partners from the textile sector. Discussions focused on practical solutions in areas such as energy efficiency, water management, resource efficiency and cleaner production, as well as financing mechanisms that can facilitate for companies making green investments. Swedish companies including IKEA and H&M are working closely with their Pakistani suppliers to advance sustainability across their value chains.

The matchmaking event provided an opportunity to connect these local suppliers with Nordic technology providers offering solutions that can support more efficient and sustainable production.

“The green transition is not something that can happen through one company or one country alone. It requires cooperation across the entire value chain,” said H.E. Alexandra Berg von Linde, Ambassador of Sweden to Pakistan.

“What I found particularly encouraging today was the very practical nature of the discussions. Pakistani suppliers shared the challenges they face, while Swedish and Nordic companies brought solutions and experience. This is exactly the kind of dialogue that can lead to new partnerships and real change.”

“The purpose of Business Sweden’s engagement is to help turn sustainability ambitions into business opportunities,” said Mr. Emil Akander, Vice President, Region APAC, Singapore, Business Sweden.

“Events like this create a direct connection between the needs of the Pakistani industry and the solutions that Swedish and Nordic companies can offer. We hope today’s conversations will continue beyond this event and develop into concrete cooperation.”

This year’s event also brought financing discussions into the matchmaking format, underlining the importance of access to financing in enabling companies to invest in green technologies and improve their production processes.

For Sweden, promoting sustainability and the green transition is closely linked to its broader engagement with Pakistan and its private sector. The Sustainable Textile Platform provides a practical space for Swedish expertise and innovation to meet Pakistan’s strong textile manufacturing base. The second matchmaking event marks another step in the Sustainable Textile Platform’s ongoing work. The focus going forward will be on developing the connections made during the event and supporting further dialogue, follow-up meetings and potential partnerships between Swedish, Nordic and Pakistani companies.

About the Sustainable Textile Platform: The Sustainable Textile Platform by Sweden was launched in 2024 by the Embassy of Sweden Islamabad and Business Sweden. It aims to bring together Swedish, Nordic and Pakistani stakeholders to support the green transition of Pakistan’s textile sector through policy dialogue, knowledge exchange, technology and business cooperation.