Pakistan and France explored avenues for collaboration in the minerals and mining sectors as both sides highlighted investment opportunities and partnerships during a high-level webinar on Wednesday.
Pakistan government, in collaboration with the Embassy of France in Pakistan, hosted the webinar titled ‘Pakistan’s Minerals Economy: Gateway to Growth’ at the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDC) Headquarters in Islamabad to highlight the country’s vast mineral resources and promote investment opportunities for French companies and investors in the minerals and mining sectors.
The session discussed collaborative frameworks between Pakistani and French companies for exploration, processing, and value addition in the minerals supply chain. The participants were also briefed on Pakistan government’s focus on ensuring investor facilitation and project security.
Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik highlighted Pakistan’s potential in copper, gold, and rare earth elements, “which are essential for the global transition to clean energy technologies and electric vehicles”.
He said the government was committed to developing a sustainable and transparent minerals sector that could supports both national growth and global energy needs.
“The global shift toward green energy has made minerals such as copper, lithium, and rare earth elements crucial to future technologies. Pakistan’s mineral-rich regions, especially in Balochistan’s Chaghi belt, offer immense opportunities for investment,” Malik was quoted as saying in a statement from the Petroleum Division.
“The Government of Pakistan, through the SIFC [Special Investment Facilitation Council], is fully committed to providing all facilitation and a transparent regulatory framework to attract international investors and build strong, long-term partnerships.”
Minister Malik maintained that the government had introduced multiple initiatives to improve the ease of doing business in the minerals sector, including the development of a National Minerals Harmonisation Framework, digitalisation of geological data, and revitalisation of the Geological Survey of Pakistan.
“These measures aim to ensure greater transparency and data accessibility for potential investors.”
The minister also highlighted the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025 (PMIF25), which “attracted over 5,000 delegates from more than 50 countries and resulted in 16 MoUs being signed”.
The next edition, PMIF26, is scheduled to take place in April 2026.
“PMIF serves as a global platform to bring together investors, experts, and companies, offering a gateway for international collaboration in Pakistan’s minerals sector,“ the minister said.
Meanwhile, French Ambassador Nicolas Galey appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen its mining and investment environment and expressed France’s interest in exploring partnerships in the sector.
He said French companies recognise Pakistan’s resource potential and were keen to engage in sustainable mining ventures.
“France sees great potential in Pakistan’s minerals sector. We look forward to deepening cooperation and facilitating the exchange of information and expertise,” Ambassador Galey remarked.
Benjamin Gallezot, Advisor to French President on mining, said the forum was helpful for highlighting the opportunities in Pakistan’s Mineral sector for French companies.
OGDC MD/CEO Ahmed Hayat Lak said Pakistani companies were open to partnerships with French firms in both ongoing and upcoming projects.
“Pakistan’s mineral industry offers promising investment opportunities, and we welcome French companies to collaborate in exploration and development initiatives. We are ready to discuss potential partnerships that can drive mutual growth,” he said.
The webinar concluded with an agreement to continue coordination between Pakistani and French stakeholders to identify opportunities for cooperation in exploration, technology transfer, and sustainable mining practices.
In September this year, Pakistan and the United States (US) signed an MoU worth $500 million to strengthen cooperation in the critical minerals sector, marking a step toward deeper economic and strategic engagement between the two countries.
Later in October, Pakistan delivered its first batch of rare earth elements and critical minerals to US Strategic Metals (USSM) in the United States.
According to PRNewswire then, in the first shipment, Pakistan indigenously sourced and prepared antimony, copper concentrate, and rare earth elements with neodymium and praseodymium.
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