Vienna, February 16, 2026 – The Europe Today: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and the Federal Chancellor of the Republic of Austria, Christian Stocker, on Monday co-chaired a high-level forum of chief executive officers (CEOs) from leading Austrian and Pakistani companies at the Federal Chancellery in Vienna.
The CEOs Forum brought together prominent companies operating in renewable energy, energy efficiency, industrial manufacturing and construction, information technology, textiles, surgical equipment, leather and sports goods, healthcare, tourism and hospitality, as well as food and agro-industries.
In their remarks, both leaders underscored the vast potential to enhance bilateral trade and investment, particularly in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies, alongside other priority areas of cooperation.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif invited Austrian businesses to expand their footprint in Pakistan, emphasizing the country’s investor-friendly policies and strategic location as a gateway to regional markets. He highlighted opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships between the private sectors of both countries.
The prime minister also extended an invitation to Austrian companies to visit Pakistan and participate in the upcoming EU–Pakistan Business Forum scheduled to be held in Islamabad in April this year, aiming to further strengthen economic engagement with European partners.
Later, the prime minister addressed the Pakistan–Austria Business Forum organized by the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKO), reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to deepening economic ties with Austria and promoting sustainable, innovation-driven growth through enhanced business collaboration.
