LAHORE, AUG 5 /DNA/ – Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Hajo Provo Kluit, has said that the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry is a vital bridge between the business community and the public sector, making it an indispensable partner for strengthening Pakistan-Netherlands economic relations. He said that with more than 48,000 members representing diverse sectors, LCCI possesses valuable market knowledge that can help Dutch companies identify business opportunities and reliable local partners. He emphasized that regular dialogue between the Embassy and LCCI is essential to further expand bilateral trade and investment, adding that successful Dutch companies operating in Pakistan have largely been small and medium-sized family businesses that succeeded by establishing strong partnerships with local enterprises. He stressed that helping Dutch companies connect with trustworthy Pakistani partners would open new avenues of economic cooperation and joint ventures.
He expressed these views during his visit to the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry, where he was warmly received by Acting President LCCI Tanveer Ahmed Sheikh. Senior Economic Advisor at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Ms. Maria Erfan, also accompanied him. LCCI Executive Committee Members Karamat Ali Awan, Sheikh Fayyaz, Ali Imran, Mohsin Bashir, Nadeem Ansari, Firdous Nisar and Amna Randhawa were also present on the occasion.
Welcoming the Dutch delegation, Acting President LCCI Tanveer Ahmed Sheikh said that the visit reflected the growing importance of economic cooperation between Pakistan and the Netherlands. He said that regular engagement between the public and private sectors is essential for promoting trade, encouraging investment and building long-term business partnerships.
He said that Lahore Chamber is one of Pakistan’s oldest and largest business support organizations with a history spanning more than a century and a membership exceeding 48,000 businesses representing every major sector of the economy.
Tanveer Ahmed Sheikh said that Pakistan greatly values its longstanding friendship with the Netherlands and appreciates cooperation in areas including agriculture, dairy, water management, logistics, renewable energy and sustainable development. He noted that according to the State Bank of Pakistan, bilateral trade between the two countries reached approximately US$1.9 billion during 2025-26, with Pakistan’s exports standing at US$1.44 billion and imports from the Netherlands at US$505 million. He said that the existing trade volume has the potential to increase to US$5 billion through enhanced cooperation and stronger business linkages.
He said that Pakistan’s major exports to the Netherlands include home textiles, hosiery, woven fabrics and rice, while imports comprise petroleum products, malt extracts, iron and steel scrap, medical equipment and dairy products. He emphasized that Pakistan possesses significant export potential in value-added garments, knitwear, denim, leather products, sports goods, surgical instruments, furniture, processed food, halal meat, seafood, software and IT services.
The Acting President said that Pakistan offers attractive investment opportunities through Special Economic Zones, Export Processing Zones and industrial estates, supported by a young and skilled workforce, improving macroeconomic indicators, lower inflation and exchange rate stability. He invited Dutch investors to establish long-term partnerships in Pakistan and proposed greater exchanges of entrepreneurs, startups and business delegations between the two countries.
He also highlighted the vast scope for cooperation in tourism and hospitality, vocational and technical training, maritime services, shipbuilding, mining, food processing, cold storage, renewable energy and information technology. He said Pakistan can significantly benefit from Dutch expertise in agriculture, particularly in seed technology, greenhouse farming, dairy development and water management.
Tanveer Ahmed Sheikh reaffirmed LCCI’s commitment to facilitating Dutch investors and promoting business-to-business contacts. He called for regular exchange of trade delegations, participation in trade fairs and exhibitions, and closer collaboration between the Dutch Embassy and LCCI to identify new investment opportunities and encourage joint ventures.
Speaking on the occasion, Hajo Provo Kluit said the Netherlands and Pakistan enjoy a long-standing trade relationship that predates the formal diplomatic ties between the two countries. He noted that while several major Dutch multinational companies are operating in Pakistan, many of the most successful new entrants have been small and medium-sized family-owned businesses that developed strong relationships with reliable local partners.
He said identifying the right partners remains one of the biggest challenges for foreign investors entering Pakistan and expressed confidence that LCCI can play a pivotal role in facilitating these connections. He also introduced Ms. Maria Erfan, Senior Economic Advisor at the Embassy, saying she would continue to maintain close engagement with the Chamber and the business community to further strengthen bilateral economic cooperation.
