ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and France have agreed to collaborate on surveys, technology transfer, and sustainable practices in the mining sector.
The understanding was reached during a webinar titled “Pakistan’s Minerals Economy: Gateway to Growth” held in Islamabad on Wednesday.
The event was jointly organised by the Government of Pakistan and the Embassy of France and was co-chaired by Pakistan’s Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervez Malik and French Ambassador Nicolas Galey.
The French delegation was led online by Benjamin Gallezot, Mining Advisor to the French President. The webinar aimed to promote investment opportunities in Pakistan’s mining and minerals sector for French companies and was attended by leading Pakistani mining and energy firms alongside French business representatives.
Addressing the forum, Minister Ali Pervez Malik highlighted Pakistan’s significant potential in copper, gold, and rare earth elements, noting that the growing green energy sector has made minerals such as copper and lithium crucial for future technologies.
He also emphasised the government’s ongoing measures to enhance the ease of doing business in the mining sector.
Pakistan and France have agreed to cooperate in surveys, technology transfer, and sustainable practices in the mining sector@PakinFrance @ForeignOfficePk #RadioPakistan #News https://t.co/heHYqDwevR pic.twitter.com/S8FGtJkr6f
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) November 12, 2025
“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,” Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said.
“The Government of Pakistan, through the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) is fully committed to providing all facilitation and a transparent regulatory framework to attract international investors and build strong, long-term partnerships.”
The minister also highlighted the success of 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,” Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik added.
Speaking at the occasion, French Ambassador Nicolas Galey lauded Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen the mining and investment climate, describing the webinar as a valuable platform for showcasing opportunities for French companies in Pakistan’s mining industry.
Benjamin Gallezot, Advisor to French President on mining, said that this forum is very helpful for highlighting the opportunities in Pakistan’s Mineral sector for French companies.
Participants were also briefed on the Government’s focus on ensuring investor facilitation and project security. The session discussed collaborative frameworks between Pakistani and French companies for exploration, processing, and value addition in the minerals supply chain.
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.
