Pakistan’s commerce ministry stated on Monday that a delegation of Swedish business representatives will soon visit Karachi, the country’s commercial hub, to assess potential investment opportunities in the country’s garment industry, as reported by Arab News.
The development follows a meeting between Swedish Ambassador to Pakistan Alexandra Berg von Linde and Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan at his office in Islamabad.
Backed by a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) program, Pakistan has been working to enhance trade and attract foreign investment as it pursues long-term economic stability. According to the commerce ministry, the ambassador recognized Pakistan’s strong standing in textile exports during discussions on expanding economic ties, highlighting that Swedish buyers regard Pakistani products as among the finest globally.
During the meeting, Minister Khan emphasized Pakistan’s strengths in sectors such as IT, technical education, mining, surgical instruments, and sports goods, suggesting that Swedish firms could gain significantly by investing in these areas.
For the first time, the government intends to gradually lower import tariffs to between 15% and 20% over the next five years, the minister said. The move is designed to promote exports while facilitating the import of high-quality goods not available locally.
Khan also highlighted that over 40 Swedish firms, including major global brands like H&M and IKEA, are currently sourcing products from Pakistan. Additionally, he encouraged Sweden to take part in upcoming trade events, including the Food and Agriculture Exhibition scheduled for November 2025 in Pakistan.
According to the Pakistani Foreign Office, bilateral trade between Pakistan and Sweden reached $288.8 million during the 2023–2024 fiscal year, with Pakistan exporting goods worth $149.4 million to Sweden and importing $129.4 million in return.
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