The Pakistani economy was growing at a steady pace until 2007 measuring growth figures up to 7% on an annual basis. After 2007 growth slowed down due to the political unrest in the country and the global downturn. Despite difficult circumstances the Pakistani economy still continues grow. A growth of 2,5% has been forecasted for 2009. Worldwide recession and the present political circumstances are however curbing foreign investment. The image of Pakistan is suffering badly due to a chain of negative events which have taken place in the past few years. A perception that the country is corrupted, bureaucratic and unsafe often is associated with Pakistan.

Trade with the Netherlands

After 2004 the Netherlands started exporting more products to Pakistan then importing from the country. In 2007 Dutch imports from Pakistan amounted to Euro 207 million euros whilst Pakistan spent 288 million euro in the same year (source CBS statline, 2009).  The population of Pakistan is sizeable, counting up to 160 million people. The Netherlands export market primarily focuses on agriculture, shipping, infrastructure, environmental solutions (waste management, oil and gas exploration, banking and consumer goods supplies. A number of well known Dutch companies are active in Pakistan: Philips ,Shell, ABN Amro, Unilever, Stork, Econosto, SHV, Fugro, Organon en Arcadis are all active in the country. Organon recently entered into a Public Private Partnership with the Pakistani government. Makro has opened two branches and will open eleven more in the coming years.

What can the Embassy do for you?

The embassy supports Dutch and Pakistani businesspeople who are buying or selling products from the Netherlands to Pakistan or from Pakistan to the Netherlands. The Dutch embassy staff not only supports activities to enhance Dutch trade to Pakistan but also supports Pakistani businesspeople who seek to export to the Netherlands. A number of tools are available to support businesspeople. To learn more about the tools click on the following link business tools for Pakistani and Dutch businesspeople.