Expanding new investment into South Asia
Under the 2025 National Trade Promotion Program, the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency, in coordination with the Department of Asian-African Markets and the Vietnam Trade Office in Pakistan under the Ministry of Idustry and Trade (MoIT), organized a trade mission to Pakistan alongside Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien’s visit to officially announce the start of Vietnam-Pakistan Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) talks.
The program aims to strengthen Vietnam-Pakistan economic and trade relations, support businesses from both countries in seeking partners, expanding markets, boosting Vietnam’s exports, and opening new investment channels into South Asia.
Trade program at Vietnam - Pakistan Business Forum with many promising business and investment cooperation connections.
On October 14, 2025 in Islamabad, the Vietnamese business delegation attended the Vietnam-Pakistan Business Forum co-hosted by Vietnam’s MoIT and Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce. The forum gathered Minister Nguyen Hong Dien, representatives of the Vietnamese Embassy in Pakistan, Pakistan’s trade leaders, and over 100 companies in textiles, footwear, agro-products, processed foods, construction materials, consumer goods, logistics, and technology.
Both sides discussed bilateral trade potential, shared information on trade policies and investment opportunities, and presented each country’s production and export strengths. Immediately after the plenary, a side event facilitated 100+ B2B meetings on distribution, agency, and joint manufacturing options in Pakistan.
Tran Thi Luyen, CEO of NPD Vietnam JSC, said the event helped the firm reach potential Pakistani importers for its range of naturally made spices suited to the country’s premium segment, while also identifying high-quality input materials to support production at home.
Strengthening business links and two-way trade
On October 16, 2025, the delegation met with the leadership and members of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), one of Pakistan’s largest and most dynamic business organizations.
LCCI President Faheem-ur-Rehman Saigol welcomed broader opportunities with Vietnam and expressed confidence that bilateral trade would make significant strides if the Vietnam-Pakistan PTA is approved and implemented soon.
The working delegation worked and share cooperation opportunities in food production in Vietnam with Pakistani enterprises for consumption in the Pakistani market.
At the LCCI session, companies from both sides held direct discussions on import procedures, quality standards, and tariff policies in each market, as well as distribution partnerships and off-take arrangements tailored to demand in Vietnam and Pakistan.
Le Thi Bich Thuy, Head of International Business Market Development at Vinamilk, said the program connected the company with additional prospective partners interested in its diverse dairy and beverage portfolio.
During the mission, the delegation accompanied Minister Nguyen Hong Dien to visit the Vietnamese Embassy in Pakistan to receive updated market insights from Ambassador Pham Anh Tuan. The team also worked with the Honorary Consulate of Vietnam in Pakistan, met import-export and investment firms, and surveyed wholesale and retail systems, shopping centers, and traditional markets in Islamabad and Lahore.
The delegation observed that Pakistan has a young population with fast-rising demand for quality, reasonably priced goods. Distribution relies largely on wholesale markets and medium-sized supermarkets, with modern retail chains expanding. Vietnamese firms can approach the market via local importers or by jointly developing bilateral distribution channels.
With nearly 250 million people and strong import demand, particularly for products where Vietnam is competitive, Pakistan offers significant potential for Vietnamese goods in South Asia, especially with support from the two countries’ trade-promotion bodies.
Nguyen Thanh Tung, CFO of Huong Sen Packaging Co., Ltd., said the trip clarified market needs and operating practices, helping the company shape product development and business strategies for deeper penetration into this key South Asian market.
The mission yielded positive outcomes, helping advance Vietnam-Pakistan economic and trade cooperation and opening new connections for Vietnamese businesses in South Asia. The parties agreed to maintain information exchanges and organize more in-person and online matchmaking events, trade fairs, exhibitions, and two-way investment promotion activities in the near future.
Some pictures of the working delegation:
Pakistan is currently a market of nearly 250 million people, with high import demand, especially for products that Vietnam has strengths in.
Within the framework of the forum, the two sides discusses the potential for bilateral trade cooperation, share information on trade policies and investment opportunities.
The parties agree to continue maintaining information exchange channels, organizing more direct and online trade programs, exhibitions and bilateral investment connections in the coming time.
The Vietnamese delegation acknowledges that Pakistan is a market with a young population structure and rapidly increasing demand for quality goods at reasonable prices.
Vietnam - Pakistan Business Fair at Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The delegation works with the Honorary Consulate Office of Vietnam in Pakistan and receives much support in connecting with potential partners in Pakistan.
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