Pakistan invites German investment in agriculture, food processing as both countries discuss trade cooperation

Pakistan has urged German businesses to look at farming, food processing and other industries, and to attend the FoodAg 2026 exhibition, scheduled for November in Karachi. Federal Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan made the appeal during talks with German Ambassador Ina Lepel, Profit reported, citing a Ministry of Commerce statement. Both sides also looked at ways to widen bilateral trade, investment and business-to-business ties.

The minister pointed to scope for collaboration in farm machinery, food processing, livestock rearing, animal feed, testing laboratories and adding value to produce. He said working with German firms could lift farm productivity, improve quality and export standards, and create more goods available for overseas sale. He also said the exhibition would give German companies a chance to deal directly with Pakistani firms and form ties spanning the farm and food supply chain.

Ambassador Ina Lepel acknowledged Pakistan's legislative progress under the EU's GSP Plus scheme but stressed that reforms must produce effective implementation and measurable results. Rana Isaan Afzal separately set out Pakistan's stance on India's geographical indication bid pending with the European Commission, alongside Pakistan's own Basmati filing. The commerce minister welcomed an invitation to the 19th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business in Seoul, South Korea, on October 29 to 31, 2026, and said he was interested in taking part.