Pakistan and Portugal explored investment opportunities across five priority areas during talks between the Special Investment Facilitation Council and Portuguese Ambassador Paulo Domingues.
The meeting in Islamabad on Saturday, September 26, focused on textiles, agriculture, information and communication technology, pharmaceuticals and Special Economic Zones.
SIFC hosted the ambassador to discuss stronger economic ties and identify opportunities for collaboration between businesses in both countries.
The council outlined Pakistan’s investment potential and explained how its facilitation framework supports domestic and foreign investors. It also highlighted opportunities arising from Pakistan’s expanding connections with international companies and institutions.
The discussions centred on potential partnerships. The statement did not announce a signed investment agreement, project value or implementation timetable.
SIFC outlines support for investors
During the briefing, SIFC explained its role in coordinating investment-related engagement across government institutions.
The council connects investors with relevant federal and provincial authorities, alongside institutions responsible for individual sectors. Its framework aims to streamline investment processes and help businesses develop commercially viable projects.
The meeting examined how this support could encourage greater commercial engagement between Pakistani and Portuguese companies.
SIFC stressed the importance of continued contact with international partners to identify workable investment opportunities. It also called for stronger connections between investors and businesses from both countries.
Read More: From AI to Investment: LIIBS 2026 Explores Pakistan’s Next Move
The engagement follows earlier diplomatic discussions on expanding economic cooperation.
Pakistan and Portugal held their fourth round of bilateral political consultations in Islamabad on July 15, 2026. Those talks covered trade, investment, agriculture, renewable energy, information technology and labour mobility, alongside education and tourism.
Officials also explored business-to-business engagement, port connectivity, and cooperation in olive cultivation and processing.
Bilateral trade reached $221 million in 2024, compared with $189 million in 2020. Pakistan maintained a trade surplus with Portugal, providing an existing commercial base for the latest investment discussions.
FC Porto partnership adds sporting link
The SIFC meeting also highlighted FC Porto’s Dragon Force Academy in Sialkot as an example of expanding institutional and commercial ties.
The initiative links the Portuguese football club with Forward Sports through its Sialkot Football Academy. It brings FC Porto’s youth development programme to Pakistan.
Forward Sports, a Sialkot-based manufacturer of official FIFA World Cup match balls, operates the local academy.
Under the partnership, FC Porto will provide intensive training for young Pakistani footballers and support the development of coaches and managers.
Read More: Inside Kazakhstan and South Korea’s $19 Billion Investment Push
The Portuguese club has confirmed the academy’s addition to its international Dragon Force network. Its wider expansion programme targets reaching 40,000 young athletes worldwide by 2030.
For the bilateral relationship, the academy adds a sporting and training partnership to the sectors discussed at the SIFC meeting.
The council cited the initiative while highlighting the scope for closer cooperation between Pakistani businesses and Portuguese institutions.
SIFC emphasised sustained engagement to identify commercially viable projects and turn sector-specific opportunities into stronger business partnerships.
