French Ambassador to Pakistan Nicolas Jalli met with Energy Minister Owais Leghari to discuss the challenges faced by French independent energy producers operating in Pakistan.
The meeting comes in the wake of the commitment made by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to French President Emmanuel Macron during their bilateral meeting in Riyadh last month.
The challenges faced by French independent power projects in Pakistan remain a key issue, with stakeholders committed to strengthening economic cooperation and addressing sectoral obstacles.
The French ambassador’s visit indicates coordinated efforts to strengthen trade and investment relations between the two countries.
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Syed Tariq Fatemi said that during the One Water Summit, hosted by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, President Macron and other world leaders, Prime Minister Shehbaz stressed the importance of strengthening economic ties with France. . He proposed organizing a trade and investment forum to promote opportunities in agriculture, dairy, livestock, information technology, climate change and renewable energy sectors in Pakistan.
President Macron welcomed the proposal and suggested hosting the forum in France, highlighting the possibility of increasing engagement with Pakistani companies. The French President also pledged to visit Pakistan with a delegation of French companies.
Responding to concerns raised by French energy companies operating in Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz assured Macron that these issues would be resolved.