Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Robert-Jan Siegert, has urged measures to further enhance bilateral trade and investment.
Speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Friday, he emphasised that both sides should work together to make the business environment easier and more attractive for foreign investors.
The Ambassador said that Pakistan offers a great market, but foreign investors also compare opportunities globally. Therefore, simplification of regulatory procedures, improved ease of doing business, and reforms beyond special economic zones are crucial to attract more Dutch investment. He said both sides should join hands to advocate business-friendly reforms.
He invited LCCI and its members to actively participate in the EU-Pakistan Business Forum scheduled for April 28-29 in Islamabad, where companies and institutions from all EU states will explore avenues for deeper trade cooperation.
First Secretary Alexander Akerboom said that more than 50 Dutch companies are already active in the Pakistani market and are looking to further expand. He cited successful joint ventures as models of future cooperation, especially in livestock, agri-food technology, and halal-based exports. He mentioned that Dutch expertise in high-tech agriculture and greenhouse farming can greatly help Pakistan increase crop yields and reduce production costs. He said the Netherlands, despite its small size, is the second-largest exporter of agri-food globally due to its innovative farming methods.
He shared examples such as the potato project in Punjab that successfully reduced fertiliser costs by 30% and increased yield by the same proportion. He also referred to recent initiatives like the International Cotton Accelerator, launched in Lahore, which aims to promote organic cotton and strengthen Pakistan’s textile-based economy. He stressed that Pakistan needs climate-resilient seeds and advanced water management solutions to cope with growing challenges like floods and drought.
LCCI President Faheem-ur-Rehman Saigol stressed the need to diversify product lines and explore new avenues of cooperation, including information technology, tourism, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, processed food, and automotive production. He also highlighted that the Netherlands could help modernise Pakistan’s agriculture through advanced techniques and technology transfer.
Mr Saigol reiterated LCCI’s commitment to working closely with the Netherlands Embassy to identify new tradable goods, enhance B2B linkages, encourage exchange of business delegations, and strengthen the already cordial relations between the two nations. He assured full support from the platform of LCCI for all initiatives aimed at promoting bilateral trade and investment.
