ISLAMABAD (The Thursday Times) — Romania has extended a strategic invitation to Pakistan, offering access to its Black Sea maritime hub, the Port of Constanța, as a direct corridor into European markets. The move is part of a wider effort to bolster bilateral ties in trade, energy and technology, with both countries pledging deeper economic and cultural cooperation.
The proposal was made during a meeting in Islamabad between Federal Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and Romanian Ambassador Dan Stoenescu. According to officials, the talks centred on trade logistics, green energy, defence collaboration and expanding people-to-people ties.
At the heart of the initiative is a logistics breakthrough. By using the Port of Constanța and its Danube River connections, Pakistan could streamline exports into Europe, reducing dependency on traditional routes via the Middle East or Central Asia. Islamabad, eager to diversify its trade channels, has welcomed the Romanian proposal as timely and strategic.
Beyond transport, the meeting laid the groundwork for future industrial partnerships. Romania has shown interest in Pakistani exports of agricultural goods, surgical instruments and consumer items such as electric fans. In turn, Pakistan is seeking Romanian investment and joint ventures, especially in renewable energy.
“Pakistan is committed to removing tariff and non-tariff barriers to make investment more attractive,” Minister Kamal said, underscoring Islamabad’s recent reforms to boost foreign direct investment. He highlighted a range of incentives for European firms willing to establish operations inside Pakistan.
The Romanian envoy pointed to Pakistan’s expanding information technology sector, commending its human capital and inviting exchanges in software and digital services. Romania, an emerging regional tech hub in Eastern Europe, is particularly keen on collaborative opportunities in education and innovation.
Cultural diplomacy was also on the agenda. Both countries are exploring more structured cultural exchanges and visa facilitation measures to strengthen community integration and academic mobility.
While no formal agreements were signed, the tone of the meeting suggested a pivot toward strategic alignment.
