Economic engagement with Eastern Europe remains far below expectations: FPCCI

Atif Ikram Sheikh, FPCCI president, has urged a coordinated push to widen Pakistan's trade and investment ties with Eastern Europe, according to Business Recorder. He said the region offers ample room to grow, while Pakistan's engagement there stays well short of its potential. Citing State Bank of Pakistan data, he noted that exports to the region rose from USD 740 million in FY2024 to USD 758 million in FY2025.

Imports from the region fell over the same period, from USD 1.67 billion to USD 705 million, leaving two-way merchandise trade at roughly USD 1.46 billion in FY2025. Sheikh said the recent export growth was encouraging, but overall trade volume remains modest given the region's economic promise, its scale and its strategic weight. He argued Pakistan should diversify its export destinations and reduce its heavy reliance on traditional European markets.

Sheikh listed Romania, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia and Ukraine as markets with openings, and named textiles, pharmaceuticals and IT services among sectors that could gain. He said a newly formed FPCCI EU Forum would link local firms with European chambers, importers and investment bodies, and proposed B2B meetings, trade delegations and joint ventures. He framed Eastern Europe as a route into the broader EU market and its supply networks.