Ena Lippel, the German Ambassador to Pakistan, visited the FPCCI Capital Office in Islamabad and held a detailed meeting with FPCCI President Atif Akram Sheikh and senior chamber officials to discuss ways to expand Pakistan Germany trade and industrial cooperation.
President Atif Akram Sheikh underlined that Germany, as Europe’s largest economy and a key trading partner, offers considerable opportunities for Pakistani exporters and investors. He noted that current bilateral trade stands at around $3.5 billion, a figure he described as well below the two countries’ potential, and urged both sides to work to raise Pakistan Germany trade to reflect their complementary strengths.
During the meeting Mr Sheikh listed Pakistan’s export strengths including textiles, garments, leather goods, sports equipment, footwear and surgical instruments, while highlighting Germany’s role as a major supplier of machinery, chemical products, pharmaceuticals, electrical equipment and motor vehicles. He said there is wide scope to deepen Pakistan Germany trade through enhanced value addition and technology transfer.
Both sides explored joint project possibilities in IT, renewable energy, value-added textiles, agricultural products and food processing. Mr Sheikh invited German companies to consider investment, joint ventures and vocational training programmes in Pakistan, saying the country’s young workforce and large market present attractive prospects for German investors.
Ambassador Ena Lippel reiterated Germany’s interest in strengthening economic and trade ties and said German firms are keen to expand cooperation in green energy, industrial technology, vocational training and digitalisation. She also mentioned plans to increase the number of Pakistani students studying in Germany from the current 6,000 to 10,000 in coming years.
The FPCCI delegation, which included Vice President Tariq Jadun, Chairman Capital Office Karim Aziz Malik, Chairman Coordination Malik Suhail and Mian Akram Farid, discussed practical steps to boost business links such as trade delegations, joint exhibitions and business forums. Mr Sheikh requested facilitation from the German Embassy to simplify visa procedures for Pakistani businesspeople to further ease trade and investment flows.
Representative Malik Suhail highlighted ongoing development cooperation, noting Germany’s recent announcement of a 2025–2027 package for climate change and technical cooperation and the €114 million development package declared last year. Mr Sheikh added that more than 40 German companies already operate in Pakistan, contributing to jobs and skills development.
Both sides agreed that increased technology transfer in engineering, automation, green energy and modern manufacturing could raise industrial output and create employment. Ambassador Lippel and FPCCI officials emphasised a shared commitment to expand Pakistan Germany trade through targeted partnerships that benefit industry, SMEs and the workforce.
