KARACHI: Portugal’s ambassador to Pakistan called for a major transformation in economic relations between the two countries, saying bilateral trade remains far below its potential and urging businesses to move beyond diplomatic goodwill toward concrete investment and joint ventures.
Ambassador Paulo Domingues, addressing a meeting at the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry, said Portugal and Pakistan have complementary economic strengths but have yet to translate friendly relations into substantial commercial ties.
“My message today is very simple: Portugal and Pakistan have much more to offer each other,” Domingues said. “Our political and economic relations are good and growing steadily, but the trade figures remain relatively low compared with the enormous potential that exists between our two countries.”
The ambassador said Portuguese businesses have yet to fully explore the Pakistani market, partly because they remain insufficiently aware of available opportunities, while Pakistani businesses are increasingly looking toward Portugal and sending business missions to explore commercial prospects.
“The challenge is to bring our business communities together and encourage more Portuguese entrepreneurs and companies to visit Pakistan,” he said. “Portugal and Pakistan may be geographically far apart, but geography should never limit our ambitions.”
Domingues identified trade and industry, renewable energy, technology, agriculture, fruit cultivation and innovation as promising areas for cooperation. He noted that about 70% of Portugal’s electricity generation comes from renewable sources, offering opportunities for knowledge-sharing and technology partnerships with Pakistan.
He announced that Portugal’s foreign minister will visit Pakistan on Nov. 22-23, when a business forum will be held in Islamabad bringing together representatives of both countries’ foreign ministries, trade and investment agencies and a delegation of Portuguese companies.
The ambassador encouraged KCCI to participate actively in the forum and mobilize Pakistani business leaders to engage with the visiting delegation.
KCCI President Talat Mahmood called for a concerted effort to expand Pakistan’s trade with Portugal and urged the Portuguese Embassy to facilitate stronger business-to-business linkages, improve Pakistani exporters’ access to the Portuguese market and encourage diversification beyond textiles.
“Pakistan and Portugal have considerable scope to strengthen their economic partnership, but we need to translate this potential into tangible commercial results,” Mahmood said. “KCCI and the Portuguese Embassy can play a pivotal role as bridges between the two business communities.”
He urged the ambassador to guide Pakistani businesses on Portugal’s market requirements, product standards, distribution channels and potential buyers, while encouraging Portuguese companies to explore sourcing opportunities from Pakistan.
“The objective should not merely be to increase existing exports but also to develop new areas of cooperation, diversify trade and establish sustainable business relationships capable of delivering long-term economic benefits to both countries,” Mahmood said.
