Pakistan, Netherlands explore investment opportunities at SIFC
By The South Asia Times
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan and the Netherlands have discussed opportunities to expand bilateral investment and trade during a visit by Dutch Ambassador Robert-Jan Siegert and a business delegation to Pakistan’s Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), officials said.
The delegation, representing the Founders Carbon Network (FCN), visited the SIFC to explore potential investment opportunities and strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries.
Dr. Jehanzeb, secretary of the SIFC Apex Committee, briefed the delegation on the council’s role as a one-window platform designed to facilitate foreign investment by coordinating with relevant government departments and connecting investors with potential projects.
The briefing highlighted investment opportunities in Special Economic Zones (SEZs), particularly the Karachi Industrial Park (KIP) and Bin Qasim Industrial Park (BQIP).
The industrial zones offer potential opportunities for foreign investors, including partnerships aimed at expanding industrial activity and supporting economic development, according to the briefing.
The discussions also covered potential Dutch investment in Pakistan, stronger bilateral trade ties under the European Union’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) framework, and regulatory reforms intended to improve the business environment.
The GSP+ arrangement provides eligible developing countries with preferential access to the EU market in exchange for commitments to implement international conventions on human rights, labour rights, environmental protection and governance.
Pakistan has been seeking to attract foreign investment across key sectors of its economy as it works to expand industrial production, increase exports and strengthen economic growth.
The SIFC was established to streamline investment-related processes and improve coordination among government institutions, with a focus on facilitating domestic and international investors.
The visit underscores ongoing efforts by Pakistan and the Netherlands to identify commercial opportunities, strengthen business-to-business connections and expand bilateral economic cooperation.
No specific investment commitments or agreements resulting from the visit were announced in the statement.
