Pakistan, Croatia Seek to Expand Cooperation in Trade, Technology, and Investment

Pakistan and Croatia have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation across trade, investment, information technology, connectivity, tourism, and skilled workforce development.

Pakistan is looking to deepen its partnership with Croatia by expanding cooperation in key economic sectors, including technology, trade, investment, tourism, and skilled manpower.

During an official visit to Islamabad, Croatia’s Minister for Foreign and European Affairs, Dr. Gordan Grlić Radman, held separate meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Acting President Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations and unlock new areas of collaboration.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described Pakistan and Croatia as longstanding partners with friendly relations built on mutual respect and shared interests. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to expanding cooperation in information technology, agriculture, connectivity, tourism, trade, and investment while encouraging greater collaboration between businesses in both countries.

The prime minister also invited Croatian companies to explore Pakistan’s growing investment landscape, emphasizing that economic reforms and an improving business environment are creating new opportunities for international investors. He conveyed Pakistan’s desire to build stronger institutional and commercial partnerships that support long-term economic growth.

Croatian Foreign Minister Dr. Gordan Grlić Radman appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to promote regional peace and expressed his government’s interest in broadening cooperation across sectors of mutual interest. He also reaffirmed Croatia’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties through increased political and economic engagement.

In a separate meeting, Acting President Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani highlighted Pakistan’s investment potential in information technology, renewable energy, agriculture, livestock, food processing, tourism, hospitality, urban development, and water management. He invited Croatian investors to take advantage of opportunities supported by the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), which offers streamlined facilitation for foreign businesses.

Describing the visit as a milestone in bilateral relations, Gilani noted that it marks the first official visit by a Croatian foreign minister to Pakistan since diplomatic relations were established more than three decades ago. He expressed confidence that the visit would open a new chapter of cooperation between the two countries.

The acting president also called for stronger parliamentary engagement, proposing the establishment of Pakistan-Croatia Parliamentary Friendship Groups to encourage regular dialogue and closer institutional cooperation.

Recognizing that bilateral trade remains below its full potential, both sides stressed the need to increase commercial exchanges, facilitate business-to-business collaboration, and promote greater private-sector engagement.

Gilani welcomed the presence of Croatian companies already operating in Pakistan, including technology firm Infobip and engineering company KONČAR, expressing hope that their successful operations would encourage additional Croatian investment across strategic sectors.

He also highlighted the contribution of Pakistani skilled professionals worldwide and emphasized the potential for greater labor mobility, particularly in construction, transport, and hospitality. Expanding cooperation in skilled workforce development, he said, would benefit both economies while strengthening people-to-people ties.

The high-level meetings reflect Pakistan’s broader strategy of diversifying international partnerships, attracting foreign investment, and expanding cooperation in technology, innovation, and sustainable economic development.