Various sectors: Pakistan, Portugal to deepen bilateral cooperation

Business Recorder reported that Pakistan and Portugal have committed to deeper ties across trade, investment, renewable energy, farming and sea-related affairs. The understanding came out of a Monday meeting at the Sindh Assembly building in Karachi between Portuguese Ambassador Paulo Miguel Guedes Domingues and Acting Governor of Sindh Syed Awais Qadir Shah, who also serves as provincial Speaker. The two sides also explored tourism, cultural exchanges, sports and development, with a stress on parliamentary and people-to-people links.

Shah suggested a friendship group of lawmakers that would link the Portuguese Parliament with the Sindh Assembly, aimed at institutional ties and sharing legislative know-how. The ambassador listed clean energy, farming, maritime work and development as priority areas, and said Portuguese artists would perform at Karachi's World Culture Festival with help from the Sindh Culture Department. Amin Fakir, the newly named honorary consul general in Karachi, pointed to chances to lift Pakistani exports to Portugal, notably basmati rice, fruits, IT services and leather products.

Football also featured in the talks, with the ambassador welcoming the launch of Pakistan's first FC Porto Dragon Force Football Academy in Sialkot. The acting governor gave the envoy a commemorative shield, books on Sindh's history and traditional Sindhi gifts, after highlighting healthcare institutions such as SIUT, GIMS and NICVD.