25 December 2025, Islamabad( Kamran Raja ): French Ambassador to Pakistan Nicolas Gaille has said that economic, trade, economic, diplomatic relations between Pakistan and France will be further promoted. Pakistan and France currently have excellent diplomatic and political relations. He expressed these views during a meeting with Sardar Zahoor Iqbal, Chairman of the France-Pakistan Business Forum.
The French Ambassador said that France values Pakistan’s efforts for regional peace and stability, many French companies are investing in Pakistan. Partnerships between the private sectors of both countries will be promoted.
The French Ambassador said that there are undoubtedly excellent opportunities for foreign investment in Pakistan.
A large number of Pakistanis are residing in France, and there are vast opportunities and potential to increase trade volume between the two countries.
The French Ambassador said that the resumption of PIA flights is a welcome decision. Bilateral cooperation in the fields of people-to-people contacts, cultural cooperation, economy and finance is important between the two countries.
The French Ambassador said that a large number of Pakistani students are studying in France. Visa facilities have been increased for Pakistani students. The establishment of the France-Pakistan Business Forum is important, and cooperation in the trade sector has increased with the establishment of this forum.
The French Ambassador warmly welcomed Sardar Zahoor Iqbal on his arrival at the French Embassy. On this occasion, the French Ambassador further said that the meetings held between French President Emmanuel Macron and Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif in recent days have proven to be very fruitful. As a result of the recent meetings and consultations between the top leadership of France and Pakistan, it is hoped that a new era of cooperation will begin between the two countries.
The French Ambassador said that bilateral relations between the two countries are much better than before. Speaking at the meeting, Sardar Zahoor Iqbal said that a few years ago there was some deadlock in bilateral political and diplomatic relations between Pakistan and France, now this deadlock has ended. Contacts and meetings between the top leadership of the two countries will prove to be a roadmap in taking the bilateral relations of the two countries to new heights in the future.
The special efforts of the current Ambassador Nicolas Gilli have greatly improved the bilateral relations between the two countries. Pakistani Ambassador to France Asim Iftikhar also played a key role in this regard. The current government has made great efforts to improve relations with France and in recent times, there have been several high-level contacts between the two governments.
Our Prime Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif has met President Macron three times, which have yielded positive results. Regarding the meeting with the French Ambassador, we are hopeful of our President Haji Aslam, Secretary Yasir Khan, and Chief Coordinator Mian Atiq. We should play the role of a bridge between Pakistan and France. Sardar Zahoor said that big companies have their own way of doing business with regard to investment, but we had discussions with the French Ambassador regarding medium-sized business companies. I suggested that companies of Pakistani nationals in France be facilitated, they should be helped together with the embassy, and we also worked together with the Pakistani embassy and the Ministry of Commerce.
Companies that are doing well should be motivated to come to Pakistan. Especially in the dairy sector, there is a need to take advantage of high expertise in France. He said that competition among companies in France is very tough, but if these companies are brought to Pakistan, business can be promoted. These companies have technical expertise as well as machinery. We can take advantage of the opportunities available in Pakistan. We can work with these companies to produce high-quality dairy products at reasonable prices. First, we are planning to hold meetings at the level of secretary and minister, then our goal will be for French President Macron to visit Pakistan. This is our target for 2025. He said that I would like to specially thank the French Ambassador to Pakistan, Nicolas Galli, for his full cooperation with us.