Islamabad, September 3, 2026: The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Pakistan hosted a high-level Economic Round Table Conference and Networking Reception at the Netherlands Ambassador’s Residence in Islamabad, bringing together Dutch business leaders, senior Pakistani executives, government officials and members of the diplomatic community.
The event focused on strengthening economic dialogue, promoting investment opportunities and building long-term commercial ties between Pakistan and the Netherlands.
The gathering highlighted the growing footprint of Dutch businesses in Pakistan, with more than 50 Dutch companies operating across sectors including agriculture, food and beverages and industrial storage.
The Netherlands is the second-largest trading partner of Pakistan within the European Union, with bilateral trade reaching around $1.9 billion. Trade ties are also supported by the European Union’s GSP+ mechanism.
The Netherlands’ strategic position as home to the Port of Rotterdam, Europe’s largest port, also makes it an important transit hub for Pakistani exports to other European Union markets.
Speaking on the occasion, Netherlands Ambassador Robert-Jan Siegert highlighted the extensive presence of Dutch businesses in Pakistan, noting that Dutch brands, expertise and partnerships have become part of everyday life in the country.
He cited examples including Lipton tea, Olpers milk and SPAR supermarkets, saying the Dutch business presence was often more widespread than people might immediately realise.
Dutch companies are also contributing to community development initiatives in Pakistan. FrieslandCampina is supporting rural women through its smallholder milk collection programme while contributing to public health through the provision of safe and nutritious milk.
Similarly, AkzoNobel, through Dulux Paints, has supported community development projects, including the repainting of Dher Pindi neighbourhood in Lahore.
Successful joint ventures, including EngroVopak and Barkat Frisian Agro, were highlighted as examples of how Dutch expertise and Pakistani entrepreneurship can create sustainable economic value and contribute to Pakistan’s development.
Federal Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb, Federal Minister for Water Resources Mian Muhammad Mueen Watto, and Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr. Musadik Masood Malik also attended the networking reception.
Senior representatives from the diplomatic, corporate and policy communities were also present.
The participants emphasised the importance of further expanding bilateral trade, investment, business-to-business linkages and sustainable economic cooperation between Pakistan and the Netherlands.
