Pakistan to Host Saudi Business Delegation for Trade Talks

A senior level 15 member Saudi business delegation will land in Pakistan on October 5 to improve investment and enhance private sector partnerships. The Saudi delegation will be headed by a high-ranking cabinet minister who is also a member of the royal family and will concentrate on business opportunities in major sectors of the Pakistani economy.

During the trip the delegation will hold meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, cabinet ministers, and officials of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) which is important in speeding up foreign investment. Sectors under consideration are energy, IT, agriculture, financial services, construction, semiconductors, and food industry with focus on direct joint ventures among Saudi and Pakistani firms.

The delegation will also go to Lahore for discussions with the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry and then Karachi to discuss with the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry and industrialists.

This visit comes after the September Pakistan Saudi Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement, but officials reaffirm that the subject of interest is only economic. Reforms initiated by SIFC have already increased Pakistan exports to Saudi Arabia by 22 percent pushing trade from 546 million dollars to 700 million dollars.