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KARACHI Aug 17,2026: President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Atif Ikram Sheikh has called for stronger trade and investment ties between Pakistan and ASEAN countries. He also stressed the need to promote joint ventures, technology cooperation and business-to-business linkages.
FPCCI organised the commemoration of ASEAN Day 2026 at Federation House, Karachi. The event was held under the theme “Strengthening Pakistan–ASEAN Trade, Investment and Economic Partnership.”
Addressing the event, Atif Ikram Sheikh said ASEAN’s growing economic importance was creating new opportunities for Pakistani exporters and investors.
He called for stronger direct links between the private sectors of Pakistan and ASEAN countries. According to him, business delegations, trade exhibitions, B2B meetings and institutional cooperation can help achieve this goal.
FPCCI Senior Vice President Saquib Fayyaz Magoon also highlighted the strong potential for greater economic cooperation between Pakistan and ASEAN. He said many of the available trade opportunities remained untapped.
He said FPCCI was working to establish a Pakistan–ASEAN Business Council. The council could provide a dedicated platform for B2B cooperation, trade delegations, investment and joint ventures.
Saquib Fayyaz Magoon identified textiles, IT, food processing, agriculture, value addition, cold storage, engineering, two-wheelers, tourism, fisheries and the blue economy as key areas for cooperation.
He also called for better air and maritime connectivity. Improved connectivity, he said, would support business, tourism and cargo movement.
Former FPCCI Senior Vice President Hanif Gohar said Pakistan should turn its friendly diplomatic relations with ASEAN into stronger commercial partnerships.
He called for greater participation by Pakistani companies in ASEAN trade exhibitions. He also stressed the need for regular interaction between chambers and trade associations, along with greater focus on joint ventures.
The event was attended by Consul Generals and diplomats from ASEAN member states. Representatives of ASEAN Dialogue and Sectoral Dialogue Partner Countries also participated.
Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, FPCCI Business Council chairmen, leading business figures and representatives of trade and investment promotion organisations were also present. Representatives of JETRO and KOTRA attended the event as well.
ASEAN diplomatic representatives highlighted business opportunities in their respective markets. They also encouraged Pakistani companies to explore greater trade and investment cooperation.
JETRO Country Head Masatomo Itonaga and KOTRA Director General Sungwoon Hwang shared their views on Asian markets, investment, technology and business linkages.
Pakistan’s Trade and Investment Counsellor for ASEAN, Naseem Rashed, also delivered a presentation. Nadar Ali Ghanghro of the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation and Maria Eugenia, Technical Advisor for ASEAN Countries at the Pharmaceutical Industry, Philippines, also highlighted sector-specific opportunities.
The event concluded with a consensus on strengthening business-to-business engagement between Pakistan and ASEAN. Participants also called for higher trade and investment, more joint ventures, greater participation in exhibitions and stronger institutional cooperation.
FPCCI reaffirmed its commitment to working with ASEAN diplomatic missions, business organisations and other stakeholders. The objective is to build a stronger, broader and mutually beneficial economic partnership between Pakistan and ASEAN.
