LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has invited French investors to explore investment opportunities in Punjab’s agriculture, industrial and livestock sectors through the PIVOT initiative.
“Greater engagement with French companies could open new avenues for industrial development, technology transfer and economic growth,” the CM emphasised during a meeting with the new French Ambassador to Pakistan Jean-Noël Poirier.
The meeting held to explore avenues for strengthening bilateral relations, enhancing trade and investment and expanding industrial cooperation between Punjab and France.
Both sides discussed opportunities to enhance economic, commercial and investment cooperation between Pakistan and France, with particular focus on developing stronger provincial-level partnerships between Punjab and French institutions. The meeting also focused on Pakistan’s GSP+ status and its significance for the country’s exports and industrial economy.
READ ALSO: PM Shehbaz invites French companies to invest in Pakistan
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations through sustained diplomatic engagement, increased trade, investment and industrial partnerships and cooperation in mutually beneficial areas of economic development.
The chief minister warmly welcomed the French ambassador on his arrival in Lahore, congratulated him on assuming his new diplomatic responsibilities and appreciated his diplomatic services.
The French ambassador invited the chief minister to visit France to explore opportunities for expanding bilateral trade and economic relations.
The CM Maryam Nawaz thanked the French diplomat for the invitation and expressed her interest in strengthening commercial and industrial ties between the two sides.
The chief minister described the preferential trade arrangement as a lifeline for Pakistan’s exports, particularly for Punjab’s textile, garments, sports goods and leather industries, which depend heavily on access to European markets.
She stressed that France’s support was important for safeguarding Pakistan’s trade interests within the European Union and maintaining preferential access for Pakistani products. She said alignment with the requirements of the new GSP+ framework was essential for securing the country’s export prospects.
Maryam Nawaz noted that the European Union was Pakistan’s largest trading partner, with Pakistan’s exports to the bloc reaching approximately USD 8.96 billion in 2025-26. She underscored the importance of continued diplomatic engagement with France to strengthen Pakistan’s position on GSP+ and further consolidate trade relations with the EU.
Recalling France’s previous support for Pakistan’s GSP+ status at the ministerial level, CM Punjab expressed confidence that continued French cooperation would help protect Pakistan’s commercial interests in European markets.
The chief minister also thanked France for providing a €180 million loan for National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC) transmission lines and grid stations in Punjab, acknowledging the contribution towards strengthening the province’s energy infrastructure.
She invited French investors to benefit from investment opportunities in the Urban wastewater governance project planned for major cities of Punjab, highlighting the potential for international partnerships in urban infrastructure and environmental management.
Identifying specific areas of cooperation, Maryam Nawaz said French dairy, food-processing and cold-chain companies could help modernize agriculture and add value in Punjab. French utility companies could participate in water supply, wastewater management, sewerage and solid waste services under the public-private partnership model.
She further said French energy companies could explore opportunities in solar energy, grid infrastructure and energy-efficiency projects in industrial estates, while French institutions could assist in technical training and skills development for Punjab’s workforce through industrial clusters under PIVOT.
The CM observed that PIVOT could provide an effective platform for establishing direct institutional links between Punjab and France, creating new opportunities for industrial collaboration, investment and development partnerships.
Emphasising the longstanding friendship between Pakistan and France, Maryam Nawaz said the two countries shared decades of diplomatic relations and common aspirations for cooperation.
Referring to the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen of 1789, she appreciated France’s historic contribution to the principles of liberty, equality and human dignity.
She also commended France’s recognition of Palestine and its principled position on justice and equal rights.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
Comments