Pakistan, Netherlands eye $5bn trade through stronger business ties

August 06, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan and the Netherlands have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding bilateral trade, investment and business partnerships, with both sides emphasizing stronger collaboration between the private sector and government institutions to unlock untapped economic potential.

The understanding was highlighted during a meeting between Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Hajo Provo Kluit, and representatives of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), led by Acting President Tanveer Ahmed Sheikh, according to APP.

Speaking on the occasion, Hajo Provo Kluit described the LCCI as a key link between Pakistan's business community and the public sector, saying the Chamber's extensive network of over 48,000 members across diverse industries positions it to help Dutch companies identify investment opportunities and establish reliable local partnerships.

He stressed that sustained engagement between the Dutch Embassy and the LCCI would contribute to increasing bilateral trade and investment, adding that many Dutch firms that have succeeded in Pakistan are small and medium-sized family-owned businesses that built strong partnerships with local enterprises.

He noted that connecting Dutch investors with dependable Pakistani businesses could pave the way for greater economic cooperation, new joint ventures and increased commercial activity.

Welcoming the Dutch delegation, Acting LCCI President Tanveer Ahmed Sheikh said the visit reflected the growing importance of economic ties between Pakistan and the Netherlands.

He emphasized that continuous interaction between public and private stakeholders is essential to facilitate trade, attract investment and foster long-term business collaboration.

Highlighting the Chamber's role, he said the LCCI is among Pakistan's oldest and largest business organizations, representing more than 48,000 businesses from all major sectors of the economy.

Referring to bilateral trade, Tanveer Ahmed Sheikh said data from the State Bank of Pakistan showed total trade between the two countries reached around $1.9bn during FY2025-26. Pakistan's exports stood at $1.44bn, while imports from the Netherlands amounted to $505m.

He expressed confidence that bilateral trade could increase to $5bn through stronger commercial linkages and enhanced cooperation.

He said Pakistan's principal exports to the Netherlands include home textiles, hosiery, woven fabrics and rice, while imports consist mainly of petroleum products, malt extracts, iron and steel scrap, medical equipment and dairy products.

He also highlighted export opportunities in value-added garments, knitwear, denim, leather goods, sports products, surgical instruments, furniture, processed food, halal meat, seafood, software and IT services.

The Acting President invited Dutch investors to explore opportunities in Pakistan's Special Economic Zones, Export Processing Zones and industrial estates, citing the country's young workforce, improving macroeconomic indicators, easing inflation and exchange rate stability as key advantages.

He proposed increased exchanges of entrepreneurs, startups and business delegations, while identifying tourism, hospitality, vocational training, maritime services, shipbuilding, mining, food processing, cold storage, renewable energy and information technology as promising areas for bilateral cooperation.

Tanveer Ahmed Sheikh also underlined the potential for Pakistan to benefit from Dutch expertise in agriculture, particularly in seed technology, greenhouse farming, dairy development and water management, while reaffirming the Chamber's commitment to facilitating Dutch investors through business-to-business networking, trade delegations and participation in trade exhibitions.

Addressing the gathering, Hajo Provo Kluit said trade relations between Pakistan and the Netherlands date back even before the establishment of formal diplomatic ties.

He observed that although several major Dutch multinational companies operate in Pakistan, many of the most successful recent investors have been family-owned SMEs that built lasting relationships with trusted local partners.

He identified finding reliable business partners as one of the biggest challenges for foreign investors entering Pakistan and expressed confidence that the LCCI could play an important role in bridging that gap and promoting stronger economic engagement between the two countries.

He also introduced Maria Erfan, Senior Economic Advisor at the Dutch Embassy, who will continue working closely with the Chamber to further deepen bilateral economic cooperation.

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