Federal Minister for Board of Investment, Mr. Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, held an important meeting with a German delegation led by Mr. Matthew D. Shaw, Country Representative of BVMW (German Mittelstand) to Pakistan, to discuss avenues for enhancing bilateral investment, SME cooperation, and economic connectivity between Pakistan and Germany.
The Federal Minister warmly welcomed the delegation and appreciated Mr. Shaw’s longstanding association with Pakistan. He acknowledged Mr. Shaw’s role in strengthening Pakistan-Germany business relations and facilitating linkages between SMEs of both countries.
Mr. Matthew D. Shaw, who has been serving as BVMW’s Country Representative to Pakistan since 2024, briefed the Federal Minister on the role of BVMW as Germany’s largest SME association, representing over 30,000 companies with a presence in 80 countries. He shared that he first visited Pakistan in 2008 and has since developed a strong connection with the country, establishing multiple business ventures across sectors including financial services, oil and gas, LPG, real estate, marketing, and IT.
The Federal Minister appreciated Mr. Shaw’s commitment and noted that such engagements reflect growing international confidence in Pakistan’s economy. He emphasized that the Government is actively promoting a business-friendly environment through regulatory reforms and facilitation measures led by the Board of Investment.
During the meeting, Mr. Shaw informed the Federal Minister about his efforts to bring 20–30 German companies to Pakistan and to facilitate Pakistani businesses’ access to European markets through the EU-Pakistan Business Network. He requested continued support from the Federal Minister and BOI in achieving these objectives.
Mr. Shaw also extended an invitation to the Federal Minister to attend Germany’s upcoming “Futures Day,” stating that the Minister’s participation would send a strong global message that Pakistan is open for business. In a light moment, Mr. Shaw appreciated the Minister’s name, noting that “Qaiser” (Kaiser) means king in German, while “Sheikh” holds similar significance in Arabic.
Federal Minister Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh highlighted Pakistan’s immense economic potential, particularly its young population, with nearly 60% comprising youth. He stressed that Pakistan offers vast opportunities across sectors, which need to be effectively projected internationally.
The Federal Minister further shared his own strong background in the business community, including his role as former President of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce, and noted his longstanding engagement with German companies. He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to promoting joint ventures and facilitating foreign investors.
The delegation appreciated the Federal Minister’s leadership and the ongoing regulatory reforms aimed at improving ease of doing business. Mr. Shaw noted that German investors are generally risk-averse, and the reforms spearheaded under the Minister’s guidance are critical in building investor confidence.
Discussions also focused on facilitating SMEs through access to high-quality European machinery. Mr. Shaw informed the Federal Minister about initiatives to provide guaranteed loans of up to €10 million for Pakistani SMEs to procure German, Swiss, and Austrian equipment, along with plans to establish an SME-focused investment fund.
The Federal Minister welcomed these initiatives and assured full support from the Board of Investment, stating that “BOI will extend every possible facilitation to investors and partners working towards Pakistan’s economic growth.”
Mr. Shaw also briefed the Federal Minister on plans to establish vocational training institutions in Pakistan to equip youth with skills aligned with German market needs, creating employment opportunities abroad and boosting remittances. He also advocated for easing visa processes for Pakistani nationals.
The Federal Minister acknowledged these proposals and emphasized the importance of skill development, international market access, and institutional collaboration to bridge gaps between Pakistani businesses and European counterparts.
The delegation appreciated the proactive role of the Federal Minister and the Board of Investment in promoting investment and facilitating international partnerships.
The Board of Investment, under the leadership of Federal Minister Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, remains fully committed to fostering international collaboration, supporting SMEs, and positioning Pakistan as a competitive and attractive destination for global investment.
