• Pakistan Germany Trade, Business Networking Reception by GPCCI in Sialkot

• GPCCI Business Networking Reception brings together government officials, exporters, and trade leaders to strengthen Pakistan-Germany business ties

• The Evernt Aimed Fostering Pakistan Germany Trade Ties and Economic Cooperation

• By: Muhammad Arif, Editor NSN.Asia

Sialkot, Pakistan : The German-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI) hosted its first-ever Business Networking Reception in Sialkot, bringing together government representatives, trade association leaders, exporters, and members of the local business community in a landmark event for the city’s export sector.

Background

Sialkot is one of Pakistan’s most significant export hubs, long recognized for its entrepreneurial legacy in sports goods, surgical instruments, and garments. Recognizing the city’s economic importance, GPCCI organized this inaugural networking reception to strengthen dialogue between Sialkot’s industrial community and Germany’s trade and business networks.

The event was made possible through the hospitality of GPCCI member Mr. Ijaz A. Khokhar, CEO of Ashraf Industries (Pvt.) Ltd., Vice President of the International Apparel Federation (IAF), and Former Chairman of PRGMEA, who hosted the reception on behalf of the Chamber.

Germany-Pakistan Trade Ties and Economic Cooperation

Germany is Pakistan’s largest trading partner within the European Union, with bilateral trade valued at around €3.3 billion in 2024. Pakistan’s exports to Germany are dominated by textiles, leather goods, sports equipment, and surgical instruments, while imports from Germany largely consist of machinery, chemicals, electrical goods, motor vehicles, and iron products. Notably, the trade balance has generally favored Pakistan, making Germany one of the few major partners with which the country runs a trade surplus.

Economic ties between the two countries extend well beyond trade. German development cooperation with Pakistan dates back to 1961, and Berlin has since pledged billions of euros in project support across climate and energy, sustainable economic development, vocational training, health, and social protection. In 2025, the two governments concluded fresh bilateral negotiations resulting in a new development commitment of €114 million for 2025-26, reaffirming cooperation under the Pakistan-German Climate and Energy Partnership and on youth employment and disaster resilience.

The European Union’s GSP+ scheme, under which Pakistan is now the largest beneficiary, has been a key pillar supporting this relationship by granting duty-free access to a majority of Pakistan’s tariff lines and boosting export-led growth. Germany has consistently backed Pakistan’s GSP+ status, alongside institutionalized engagement through the Pakistan-Germany Strategic Dialogue, launched in 2012, and organizations such as GPCCI that connect German and Pakistani businesses at the industry level. Together, these mechanisms continue to underpin growing trade, investment, and development collaboration between the two countries.

Highlights of the Business Reception

The Guests of Honor, Professor Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary, Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, and Mr. Khurram Dastgir Khan, Former Minister for Commerce, Energy & Defence, spoke about the vital role Sialkot plays in Pakistan’s export landscape, highlighting the city’s entrepreneurial strength across its key industries.

Mr. Syed Nadeem Ali Kazmi, GPCCI President and Managing Director of Siemens Energy Pakistan, praised the strength and cohesion of Sialkot’s industrial fraternity. He reaffirmed that Germany’s emphasis on quality and compliance remains a guiding principle for all German entities operating in Pakistan, from multinational companies to SMEs. Mr. Kazmi also outlined GPCCI’s ongoing initiatives, including organizing trade delegations to Germany and supporting members with cross-border business information.

Mr. Jaffer Hussain, GPCCI Executive Committee Member and Managing Director of DHL Global Forwarding, congratulated the organizing team for the successful event.

Message from the German Ambassador

The reception also featured a special message from H.E. Ina Lepel, Ambassador of Germany to Pakistan, who noted that August marked the completion of her first full year of tenure in the country. She commended the resilience shown by Pakistan’s business sectors amid recent disruptions and emphasized the continued significance of Pakistan’s GSP+ status for the German-Pakistan economic partnership, referencing the European Commission’s recent GSP+ monitoring report.

Conclusion

GPCCI’s first Business Networking Reception in Sialkot marked a meaningful step toward deepening Pakistan-Germany trade and investment cooperation. By bringing together policymakers, diplomats, and the city’s leading exporters under one roof, the event reinforced Sialkot’s role as a cornerstone of Pakistan’s export economy and set the stage for stronger, more collaborative Pak-German business relations going forward. GPCCI extended its gratitude to all attendees and reaffirmed its commitment to building on this momentum in the months ahead.