Pakistan to Host First-Ever Digital Foreign Direct Investment Conference Today

Pakistan is set to host the inaugural Digital Foreign Direct Investment (DFDI) Conference, beginning today, with participants arriving yesterday from across the globe. According to Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja, during an informal interaction with beat reporters, representatives from 45 countries, including China, Russia, and South American nations, are participating in the event. Over 75 investors are attending, along with CEOs from more than 50 international companies. More than 100 Pakistani IT companies and startups will showcase their ideas to potential investors during the conference. The Prime Minister of Pakistan has organized a special dinner in honor of the foreign delegations. Additionally, international investors and foreign delegates are scheduled to visit the National Technology Park as part of the program. A key focus of the conference will be enhancing collaboration with the private sector to attract digital investment into Pakistan. The Secretary-General of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) will participate as the chief guest, and Pakistan is expected to assume the presidency of the DCO in 2026. Highlighting Saudi Arabia’s efforts to strengthen the DCO platform, the minister emphasized that Pakistan will actively collaborate with Saudi Arabia in promoting the DCO’s initiatives. The DFDI conference marks the first formal meeting of its kind hosted by Pakistan, aiming to create new pathways for digital investment. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will announce the investment commitments made during the conference. Several agreements with investors have already been finalized prior to the event, and the government plans to bring in further investment over the next year based on these agreements. Efforts are underway to implement measures that facilitate investors and simplify business processes across the country. The government is also advancing the National Digital Transformation project, aiming to ease business operations through digitalization. The inauguration of a Business Facilitation Center in Islamabad is imminent, while steps are being taken to establish a one-stop shop model for business services. Additionally, the World Bank’s DEEP project is being set up to support business facilitation. Through these initiatives, the government intends to streamline business activities and attract sustained foreign investment.