LAHORE: Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Robert-Jan Siegert, has said that while the bilateral trade relations between Pakistan and the Netherlands are strong and continue to grow, there is still a “little bit of catching up to do” to further enhance cooperation, particularly in areas of trade and investment. He emphasized that both sides should work together to make the business environment easier and more attractive for foreign investors by addressing existing challenges.
He said this while speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI). LCCI President Faheem-ur-Rehman Saigol accorded a warm welcome to the Ambassador. The Ambassador was accompanied by Honorary Consul Asma Hamid, Deputy Head of Mission, Hajo Provo Kluit and First Secretary Alexander Akerboom. Members of the LCCI Executive Committee including Amir Ali, Karamat Ali Awan, Waqas Aslam, and Malik Ahmad Amin were also present on the occasion.
LCCI President Faheem-ur-Rehman Saigol said that Pakistan considers the Netherlands as an important economy and a key trading partner in Europe. According to the ITC World Trade Map, global imports of the Netherlands exceed 635 billion dollars while exports are above 722 billion dollars. The Netherlands is the third largest export destination for Pakistan in Europe after the UK and Germany, and stands fourth among the top European import markets for Pakistan.
He informed that overall bilateral trade during 2024-25 stood around 1.9 billion dollars. Pakistan’s exports to the Netherlands amounted to 1.49 billion dollars whereas imports were recorded at 420 million dollars in the same period. Pakistan mainly exports home textiles, hosiery, rice, and woven fabrics, while its key imports from the Netherlands include petroleum oils, malt extracts, iron & steel scrap, medical appliances, and dairy products. He 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 modernize Pakistan’s agriculture through advanced techniques and technology transfer.
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 fertilizer costs by 30 percent 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.
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.
LCCI President Faheem-ur-Rehman 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.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
