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Pakistan, October 14 — The saying “a friend in need is a friend indeed” accurately describes France’s relationship with Pakistan. Throughout various challenges—be it an energy crisis, preservation of historical sites, advancement in higher education, damage caused by floods, or other humanitarian initiatives—France has remained a steadfast ally to Pakistan, regardless of the situation.

In order to aid Pakistan with recent flood-related recovery efforts, the French government has offered a financial contribution of €500,000 in partnership with the NGO Acted Pakistan.

Nicolas Galey, the French Ambassador to Pakistan, touched the hearts of Pakistanis with a generous act by providing a grant aimed at tackling continuous emergency and reconstruction challenges. The French government has chosen to increase this first grant of €500,000 to show the solidarity of the French people with Pakistan. This aid will assist 3,000 families impacted by floods in Buner and Swat, benefiting approximately 21,000 people.

France’s initiatives extend beyond addressing flood emergencies. The nation continues to lead in supporting Pakistan in fulfilling its international obligations. France has leveraged its knowledge to bridge the funding shortfall for the UN Sustainable Development Goals by increasing official development aid.

In key areas like water and energy, the French Development Agency (AFD) has been actively involved in advancing eco-friendly and sustainable development, raising almost €700 million for projects in hydropower, urban transportation, and water management. AFD has also provided €94 million for water treatment initiatives in Faisalabad.

The Pakistani government has assigned the Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) the responsibility of making sure that 6% of the country’s overall electricity generation capacity comes from renewable energy sources by 2030. The AFD, a public financial organization that carries out France’s development and international solidarity initiatives, has provided support to Pakistan, with approximately 62% of its funding allocated to the advancement of green energy.

A significant effort involves the upgrading of the Mangla Hydropower Station, which was initially constructed in 1967 and stands as one of Pakistan’s most substantial multipurpose dams. AFD’s financial support for this upgrade has boosted energy production, cut down on emissions, and supports the country’s objective of developing a sustainable energy industry. The project aims to prolong the dam’s operational lifespan by an additional 50 years and is anticipated to be finished by 2027.

With a financial support of €2.5 million from the EU’s Asia Investment Facility, AFD is also assisting in the renovation of the Mangla Hydropower Training Institute (HPTI) – upgrading both its facilities and educational programs to prepare local individuals for the expanding energy industry.

Additional initiatives are being developed to speed up the shift towards cleaner energy, such as the Keyal Khwar Hydropower Plant, which is jointly funded by AFD, KfW, and WAPDA. The initiative seeks to replace multiple thermal power stations, reduce annual CO? emissions by 182,000 tonnes, and enhance electricity availability for 600,000 people by 2028.

In the Punjab province, efforts started in 2023 to expand the electrical network, supported by AFD funding, in collaboration with the National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC). This initiative aims to improve consistent power availability for millions, particularly during periods of extreme heat.

The transition from traditional fossil fuels to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources has been slow but consistent. In Sindh, a new wind power facility has been established with assistance from AFD’s private sector division, Proparco, generating local employment opportunities and enhancing the production of renewable energy. The 20-turbine installation located in the Jhimpir area generates 50 MW of electricity, greatly cutting down greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on non-renewable fuels.

Low-cost, environmentally sustainable, and supportive of economic development and employment – these are the factors that prompted Proparco to allocate $20 million to Pakistan’s wind power industry, in alignment with AFD’s environmental strategy. Over the last 25 years, Pakistani exports to France have increased at an annual rate of 2.2%, rising from USD 371 million in 1995 to USD 639 million in 2020. Pakistan now has a chance to expand its trade and economic relations with France beyond the textile sector. France also had a significant role in assisting Pakistan in obtaining GSP Plus status, which allowed Pakistani exporters to boost their exports by 65% since joining the program.

Some years back, MEDEF International—a private, non-project organization that represents the French private sector worldwide—visited Pakistan with a group of 30 top companies to examine business and investment possibilities. MEDEF International includes roughly 7,000 French companies functioning within 85 business councils led by 55 CEOs from prominent global enterprises.

In 2019, the Government of Pakistan and Business France entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing bilateral collaboration in trade, investment, and commerce. Business France, formed in 2015 by combining the French for International Investment and UBIFRANCE, assists French small and medium enterprises in making overseas investments and promotes France as an attractive location for investment. Both parties committed to assisting business communities in arranging exhibitions, seminars, and trade delegations.

In March 2022, the French car manufacturer PEUGEOT initiated its activities in Pakistan via a local partner. This collaboration seeks to establish advanced assembly plants, enhance job creation and local production, reinforce Pakistan’s automobile sector, and expand the PEUGEOT brand globally.