Pakistan invites Malaysian investors to explore opportunities in its growing startup ecosystem

October 07, 2025 (MLN): Pakistan has reiterated its commitment to creating a business-friendly environment and promoting ease of doing business, with ongoing reforms aimed at supporting startups and early-stage investors through improved investment facilitation and better access to infrastructure.

The assurance came during a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and a delegation from the Malaysian business group Gobi Partners, led by its Co-Founder and Chair Thomas G. Tsao, as reported by APP.

The prime minister said that the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) was actively working to provide all possible facilities and incentives to foreign investors, highlighting Pakistan’s focus on attracting global partnerships.

Emphasizing potential for stronger economic and trade cooperation, he said Pakistan and Malaysia were working diligently to enhance bilateral collaboration in multiple sectors.

Prime Minister Shehbaz commended the successful Pakistan-Malaysia Business and Investment Conference held on Monday, which was addressed by both him and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

The conference aimed to strengthen business-to-business relations and promote investment opportunities between the two countries.

Appreciating Gobi Partners’ confidence in Pakistan’s growing startup ecosystem, he further added that mobilizing both international and domestic investment to build a sustainable startup environment was a key government priority.

He noted that the digital economy, particularly fintech, e-commerce, and IT services, was a vital part of Pakistan’s national development strategy. “Pakistan welcomes international business groups and investors, especially in IT, technology, and AI sectors, given the country’s vast potential,” he added.

The Gobi Partners delegation expressed keen interest in exploring collaboration in Pakistan’s e-commerce and financial technology sectors.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi, and other senior government officials.