Posted on, Aug. 19 — August 19, 2025 at 7:24 AM
Federal Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan on Monday held a meeting with the Ambassador of Sweden to Pakistan, Alexandra Berg von Linde, at his office here on Monday to discuss bilateral trade, investment opportunities, and areas of mutual collaboration.
The Ambassador expressed condolences over the recent loss of lives and property in Pakistan caused by heavy rains and cloudburst incidents.
Minister Jam Kamal Khan expressed his gratitude for the act, referring to it as a natural catastrophe, and emphasized the critical importance of unified actions to tackle the issues posed by climate change, according to a statement released on Monday. In the discussion, both parties examined ways to boost economic collaboration, particularly concentrating on improving trade relations.
The minister highlighted Pakistan’s potential in textiles, ready-made garments, IT and technical education, mining, surgical goods, and sports equipment, noting that Swedish companies could greatly benefit from investing in these sectors. The Ambassador acknowledged Pakistan’s reputation in textile exports, noting that Swedish buyers consider Pakistani products among the best in the world. She added that many Swedish small and medium-sized enterprises are eager to explore opportunities in Pakistan, particularly in the garment sector. A Swedish business delegation is expected to visit Karachi soon to interact with local manufacturers and explore export opportunities.
The Minister, Jam Kamal Khan, told the Ambassador that, for the first time ever in Pakistan’s history, the government—under the guidance of the Prime Minister—is slowly lowering import duties, with plans to reduce them to between 15 and 20 percent over the next five years. He mentioned that this strategy is designed to boost exports and facilitate access to high-quality goods not produced locally, thereby promoting value enhancement prior to resale. Additionally, he pointed out Pakistan’s advancements in regulatory improvements, including setting up the National Compliance Center (NCC), aimed at assisting domestic enterprises comply with both local and global requirements. He suggested holding workshops via the NCC to inform foreign firms and embassies about the procedures related to adherence to regulations in Pakistan.
Both sides identified mining, renewable energy, green technologies, vocational training, and skill development as areas for future collaboration.
Minister Jam Kamal Khan highlighted Pakistan’s significant number of trained young people, particularly in the health sector, where Pakistani experts can assist in addressing gaps in Europe, such as nurse vacancies.
He further underscored that more than 40 Swedish companies, including global brands such as H&M and IKEA, are already sourcing from Pakistan, reflecting the strength of bilateral economic ties. He invited greater Swedish investment in renewable energy, sustainable manufacturing, IT, and infrastructure, while also encouraging Sweden’s participation in upcoming trade events in Pakistan, such as FoodAg 2025.
The Minister appreciated Sweden’s consistent support for Pakistan’s GSP+ status in the European Union and urged continued advocacy during the next review process. He also called for enhanced engagement between Pakistan’s central bank and Swedish financial regulators to address compliance-related banking issues faced by exporters.
Stressing Pakistan’s dedication to strengthening political, economic, and grassroots connections with Sweden, Jam Kamal Khan highlighted that both nations possess significant unexplored opportunities for collaboration.