Pakistan and the Netherlands have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral trade and investment, with both sides expressing confidence that existing trade volume can grow from $1.9 billion to $5 billion through deeper business cooperation.

The commitment was highlighted during a visit by Chargé d'Affaires of the Dutch Embassy Hajo Provo Kluit to the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), where he described the chamber's network of more than 48,000 businesses as a key platform for expanding economic ties between the two countries.

Acting LCCI President Tanveer Ahmed Sheikh said bilateral trade reached approximately $1.9 billion during FY2025-26, with Pakistan's exports totaling $1.44 billion and imports from the Netherlands amounting to $505 million.

He noted that Pakistan's leading exports to the Netherlands include home textiles, hosiery, woven fabrics, and rice, while imports mainly consist of petroleum products, malt extracts, iron and steel scrap, medical equipment, and dairy products.

Sheikh also highlighted significant export opportunities in value-added garments, knitwear, leather products, sports goods, surgical instruments, processed food, halal meat, software, and IT services.

He said Pakistan continues to offer attractive investment opportunities through Special Economic Zones (SEZs), Export Processing Zones (EPZs), and industrial estates, supported by a young and skilled workforce, improving macroeconomic indicators, and greater exchange rate stability.

Hajo Provo Kluit noted that many successful Dutch businesses operating in Pakistan are small and medium-sized family enterprises that have built strong partnerships with local companies. He added that facilitating connections between Dutch investors and reliable Pakistani businesses could create new opportunities for trade, investment, and joint ventures between the two countries.