By Adnan Hameed TWA ______ The Embassy of Portugal in Pakistan, in partnership with the Sanober Institute, convened a seminal seminar titled "PAKISTAN AND PORTUGAL RELATIONS — Past Experiences, Vision for the Future" at the Serena Hotel Islamabad on 6th June, 2024. Moderated by Dr. Qamar Cheema, Executive Director of the Sanober Institute, the event welcomed a distinguished panel of speakers, including Ambassador of Portugal Frederico Silva, Ambassador Aizaz Chaudhary (Chairman of Sanober Institute), Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan (Additional Secretary for Europe), and esteemed former Pakistan's Ambassadors to Portugal, among others.

The seminar aimed to delve into the historical context and future prospects of Pakistan-Portugal relations, coinciding with Portugal's national day commemorating the esteemed literary figure Luís de Camões. Ambassador Frederico Silva, in his opening remarks, underscored the seminar's mission to garner informed insights and recommendations for advancing Pakistan-Portugal relations. Acknowledging Portugal's pivotal role, Ambassador Aizaz Chaudhary extended gratitude for fostering a positive narrative surrounding Pakistan-Portugal relations, particularly noting Portugal's contribution to Pakistan's GSP Plus status and burgeoning trade relations. Panellists unanimously advocated for bolstering cultural, people-to-people, and economic ties, emphasizing avenues for mutual growth and cooperation. Trade expansion, cultural exchanges, and collaborative ventures emerged as focal points of discussion. Suggestions for enhancing trade included diversifying export portfolios encompassing textiles, agriculture, and renewable energy technologies, underscoring the untapped potential for bilateral economic growth. Ambassador Naghmana Hashmi stressed the importance of bilateral cooperation, particularly in textile and tile industries, citing Portugal's adherence to EU quality standards as a learning opportunity for Pakistan. Raja Amer Iqbal highlighted the imperative for increased trade linkages and collaboration between chambers of commerce, emphasizing Pakistan's willingness to engage with Portugal across various sectors. Vice Admiral (Retired) Khan Hasham Bin Saddique HI(M) emphasized the necessity for a comprehensive bilateral strategy to bolster exports and propel economic cooperation. Khurram Dastgir underscored the significance of cultural exchanges and proactive diplomacy to foster deeper understanding and collaboration between the two nations. Ambassadors Frederico Silva and Aizaz Chaudhary concluded the seminar by emphasizing the need for concerted action and sustained dialogue to harness the full potential of Pakistan-Portugal relations. At the end, Ambassador Frederico Silva welcomed the feedback and discussions from the seminar and emphasized the need to focus on areas of concern, such as increasing official visits, improving the implementation of agreements, reinforcing academic and cientific cooperation, intensifying cultural and artistic exchanges and expanding trade. He also highlighted Portugal's expertise and long term investment in renewable energy systems and the potential for Pakistan to benefit from this in the future. The seminar, marked by productive discussions and constructive dialogue, heralds a promising trajectory for bilateral cooperation and mutual prosperity.