Shahzad Hussain
Consul General-designate
Consulate General of Pakistan
201 – 1281 West Georgia Street
Vancouver, BC V6E 3J7
phone: 604 569-1415 | email: parepvancouver@mofa.gov.pk
- Large Consumer Base – A young, urbanizing population with rising demand for food, housing, education, healthcare, and digital services.
- Strategic Location – Access to China, Central Asia, the Middle East, and shipping routes through the Arabian Sea.
- Agriculture and Textiles – Pakistan is one of the world’s largest producers of cotton and textiles, and agrifood remains a backbone of the economy.
- Infrastructure Growth – Major investments in energy, transport, and logistics are opening opportunities in construction, engineering, and green technologies.
- Digital Economy – Rapid growth in mobile banking, fintech, and IT outsourcing creates opportunities for Canadian technology firms.
- Government Support – Investment policies emphasize liberalization, equal treatment of foreign investors, and sector-specific incentives.
Location
Pakistan is located at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East. It shares borders with China, India, Afghanistan, and Iran, with a coastline along the Arabian Sea. This position makes Pakistan a strategic transit and trade hub for regional and global markets.
Economy
Pakistan has a diverse economy driven by agriculture, textiles, manufacturing, energy, and a growing services sector. With a population of over 240 million, it is one of the world’s largest consumer markets. Ongoing infrastructure development, including through the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), is enhancing connectivity and logistics.
- Trade Potential – Pakistan’s large market offers opportunities for Canadian exporters in agrifood, education, clean tech, ICT, and professional services.
- Complementarity – Canadian strengths in agriculture technology, resource management, energy, and digital services align with Pakistan’s development needs.
- Infrastructure & Energy Projects – Canadian firms can play a role in renewable energy, power generation, and infrastructure consulting.
- Strategic Gateway – Investment in Pakistan positions Canadian companies to serve not only local demand but also regional markets in South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East.
- Policy Reforms – Recent reforms to improve the Ease of Doing Business, simplify regulations, and provide investor protections support greater market entry confidence.
- Diaspora Links – Strong people-to-people connections through Canada’s large Pakistani diaspora create cultural and business bridges.
Links & Resources
- The Consulate General of Pakistan, Vancouver — consular services, trade & investment links
- Ease of Doing Business (Invest Pakistan / EODB) — Pakistan’s reform portal for improving business climate
- Investment Regime & Sector Policies (Invest Pakistan) — policy framework, sector treatment, incentives
- Trade & Investment (Government / Pakistan Trade Documentation) — downloadable trade & investment overview document
- Investment Policy 2023 / New Investment Policy Highlights (Pakistan) — includes liberalization, regulatory updates, investor protections
- Top Sectors to Invest in Pakistan — Textiles & Manufacturing (Pakistan Textile Industry) — background on Pakistan’s strong textile sector
Risk and Compliance Considerations
- Political and security risks require careful assessment.
- Infrastructure and logistics can be challenging in certain regions.
- Regulatory changes may occur; local partnerships and legal guidance are important.
