Islamabad, August 2025 — In a significant step toward strengthening bilateral economic ties, Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan met with the Ambassador of Sweden to Pakistan, H.E. Alexandra Berg von Linde, at his office in Islamabad on Monday. The two sides held wide-ranging discussions on trade enhancement, investment opportunities, and avenues of mutual collaboration.
Ambassador Berg von Linde began the meeting by conveying her condolences over the recent loss of lives and destruction caused by severe rains and cloudburst incidents across Pakistan. Minister Jam Kamal Khan appreciated the gesture, terming the events a tragic reminder of the urgent need for collective climate action and resilience-building.
The meeting focused on expanding economic cooperation, with both parties emphasizing the need to deepen commercial engagement between Pakistan and Sweden. Minister Jam Kamal Khan outlined Pakistan’s high-potential sectors—including textiles, readymade garments, IT, technical education, mining, surgical goods, and sports equipment—as promising areas for Swedish investment and partnerships.
Ambassador Berg von Linde acknowledged Pakistan’s globally recognized position in textile exports, noting that Swedish buyers regard Pakistani products as some of the finest. She added that many Swedish small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly interested in the Pakistani market, particularly in the garments and apparel sector. A Swedish business delegation is expected to visit Karachi soon to engage with local manufacturers and explore export opportunities.
Highlighting ongoing policy reforms, Minister Jam Kamal Khan informed the Ambassador that the Government of Pakistan is progressively reducing import tariffs to between 15–20 percent over the next five years. This policy, aimed at boosting exports and enabling the import of high-quality inputs for value addition, reflects Pakistan’s commitment to building a more competitive and open economy.
The Minister also pointed to the establishment of the National Compliance Centre (NCC) as a key institutional reform to support local businesses in meeting global standards. He proposed that seminars and outreach programs be organized through the NCC to educate foreign companies and diplomatic missions on Pakistan’s evolving compliance landscape.
The two sides identified mining, renewable energy, green technologies, vocational training, and healthcare workforce development as strategic areas for collaboration. Minister Jam Kamal Khan emphasized Pakistan’s young and skilled labor force, particularly in healthcare, noting the country’s potential to help meet Europe’s growing demand for medical professionals, including nursing staff.
He also highlighted that more than 40 Swedish companies, including major global brands like H&M and IKEA, are already sourcing from Pakistan—demonstrating the depth of bilateral trade relations. He encouraged increased Swedish investment in sustainable manufacturing, IT, infrastructure, and participation in upcoming trade exhibitions such as FoodAg 2025.
Minister Jam Kamal Khan expressed gratitude for Sweden’s long-standing support of Pakistan’s GSP+ status in the European Union and urged continued advocacy during the next review cycle. He also called for deeper engagement between Pakistan’s central bank and Swedish financial regulators to address banking compliance issues faced by exporters.
Concluding the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening political, economic, and people-to-people ties, acknowledging the immense untapped potential in Pakistan–Sweden cooperation.
BY: The Times Union
