ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is committed to further strengthening the economic and investment dimension of its brotherly relations with Saudi Arabia, Investment Minister Qasier Ahmed Sheikh said this week, vowing to facilitate investors from the Kingdom.
Pakistan regards Saudi Arabia as a key regional ally that has supported its economy over the years through financial assistance and investment. The two nations have sought to foster stronger investment, trade and economic relations recently.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia agreed to an economic cooperation framework in October 2025 during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Riyadh, with the goal to strengthen trade and investment ties. In 2024, Pakistani and Saudi businesses signed 34 memoranda of understanding worth $2.8 billion across multiple sectors to strengthen trade and business relations.
Sheikh met a delegation of the Saudi Investment Forum, a group designed to bring together government officials, investors, companies and business leaders to discuss and facilitate investment opportunities connected to Saudi Arabia, in Islamabad on Friday.
“Welcoming the delegation, Federal Minister Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh said that the Government of Pakistan attaches the highest importance to its brotherly relations with Saudi Arabia and is committed to further strengthening the economic and investment dimension of these historic ties,” the information ministry said on Friday.
The Saudi Investment Forum informed Sheikh that the previously separate forums, established in Riyadh and Jeddah, have now been consolidated into a single forum for Saudi Arabia and have brought together a network of more than 400 businesses.
It also highlighted the rapidly growing role of Saudi Arabia as a regional hub for business, trade and investment, noting the expanding opportunities for businesses and investors to establish partnerships, joint ventures and long-term commercial engagements, the information ministry said.
Sheikh said Pakistan welcomes genuine Saudi investors and business groups, assuring the delegation that Pakistan’s Board of Investment (BOI) will provide full facilitation to bona fide companies interested in investing in Pakistan.
“He said BOI would facilitate investors in identifying suitable opportunities, coordinating with relevant government institutions and addressing issues that may arise during the investment process,” the ministry said.
The minister stressed that the BOI is working proactively to attract investment by showcasing Pakistan’s diverse investment opportunities and strengthening engagement with international business communities, particularly in key markets such as the Middle East.
Sheikh said Pakistan possesses significant investment potential across agriculture, information technology, mining, manufacturing, energy, infrastructure, logistics, food processing, tourism and other emerging sectors.
“He encouraged Saudi investors to explore these opportunities and assured them of the government’s full support,” the information ministry said.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have recently also strengthened their defense ties. The two countries, along with Türkiye, signed the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement earlier this month. The pact stipulates that an attack against any one country would be considered an attack against all three.
