ON the occasion of Portugal’s National Day and the 76th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Portugal, I extend my warmest felicitations to the people and government of Portugal.
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1950, our two countries have nurtured a relationship built on mutual respect, cooperation andshared values. Over the decades, we have worked closely on issues of international importance, while steadily expanding cooperation in trade, investment, education, technology and culture.
Our economic ties continue to grow. Bilateral trade reached approximately $221 million in 2024, with significant potential for further expansion in sectors such as information technology, renewable energy, textiles, agribusiness and innovation. Pakistan’s growing participation in Portugal’s dynamic technology ecosystem, including the Web Summit, reflects the increasing diversification of our partnership.
Equally important are the strong people-to-people links between our nations. The Pakistani community in Portugal is now estimated at around 50,000 people, making it one of the fastest-growing Pakistani diasporas in Europe and serving as a valuable bridge between our two countries.
As we celebrate this important milestone, I am confident that the friendship between Pakistan and Portugal will continue to deepen, opening new avenues for cooperation, trade, tourism and cultural exchange in the years ahead.