ISLAMABAD:Ambassador of Portugal to Pakistan, Paulo Domingues, and Focal Person for Overseas Affairs, Business and Trade Linkages at the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP), Shaheryar Memon has discussed for exploring the possibility of launching direct flights between the two countries in the near future.
The development came during a meeting between Ambassador of Portugal to Pakistan, Paulo Domingues, and Focal Person for Overseas Affairs, Business and Trade Linkages at the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP), Shaheryar Memon, held at the Embassy of Portugal in Islamabad.
During the meeting, both sides discussed expanding bilateral economic and trade relations under a broader framework of cooperation aimed at tapping the untapped economic potential of Pakistan and Portugal.
Ambassador Paulo Domingues expressed optimism about the launch of direct flights between Pakistan and Portugal, saying discussions on the initiative could begin soon.
He noted that the Pakistani diaspora of nearly 50,000 people living in Portugal could play a key role in strengthening commercial and economic relations between the two countries.
Portuguese Ambassador, Shaheryar Memon hold talks on Pakistan–Portugal direct flights
The ambassador acknowledged the contribution of the Pakistani community to Portugal’s economic growth and emphasized that both nations possess strong potential for collaboration in multiple sectors.
Speaking on the occasion, Shaheryar Memon described the proposed direct air connectivity as a major step toward improving bilateral connectivity, tourism, and economic cooperation.
He said thousands of Pakistanis residing in Portugal would benefit from easier travel, while direct flights would also strengthen trade and investment links between Pakistani and European markets.
“Direct flights will help increase tourism activities between both countries and create convenience for Pakistani travelers visiting Europe,” he said.
Shaheryar Memon highlighted that Pakistan and Portugal could build strong partnerships in tourism, infrastructure development, information technology, renewable energy, and trade promotion.
He stressed that the private sector would have to play a leading role in unlocking the full potential of bilateral economic cooperation.
He further underlined the importance of business-to-business engagement and institutional collaboration to transform bilateral relations into a broader strategic economic partnership.
“We can see many areas for greater cooperation and construction. We can do a lot together,” Ambassador Domingues remarked, adding that relations between the two countries were entering a positive phase that could elevate economic engagement to a new level.
The ambassador also revealed that Portugal’s Foreign Minister is expected to visit Pakistan after the summer season, a move likely to further strengthen dialogue on investment opportunities, business collaboration, and trade cooperation.
Praising Pakistan’s tourism potential, Ambassador Domingues described Pakistan as a “beautiful country” and said Portugal was ready to cooperate with Pakistan in the tourism sector by sharing its expertise and experience as a major global tourist destination.
Both sides identified several sectors for future collaboration, including renewable energy, electric bikes, information technology, ICT forums, agriculture, olive oil, textiles, youth and sports initiatives, and exports.
Both sides agreed that current trade volumes between Pakistan and Portugal do not reflect the true potential of bilateral relations and emphasized the need for stronger commercial engagement to unlock new economic opportunities.