KARACHI: President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Atif Ikram Sheikh has called for greater commercial engagement between Pakistan and ASEAN countries to expand bilateral trade, investment, joint ventures, technology cooperation and business-to-business (B2B) links.
Addressing a ceremony marking ASEAN Day 2026 at the Federation House in Karachi, Sheikh said the growing economic importance of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) presented opportunities for Pakistani exporters and investors.
The event was organised by the FPCCI under the theme ‘Strengthening Pakistan-ASEAN Trade, Investment and Economic Partnership’.Sheikh called for greater interaction between the private sectors of Pakistan and ASEAN through business delegations, trade exhibitions, B2B meetings and institutional partnerships.
FPCCI Senior Vice President Saquib Fayyaz Magoon said significant potential remains untapped in Pakistan-ASEAN economic relations. He said the FPCCI is working to establish a Pakistan-ASEAN Business Council as a platform for B2B cooperation, trade delegations, investment and joint ventures.
He identified textiles, information technology, food processing, agriculture and value-added products, cold storage, engineering, two-wheelers, tourism, fisheries and the blue economy as potential areas of cooperation.
Magoon also called for improved air and maritime connectivity to facilitate trade, tourism and cargo movement between Pakistan and ASEAN markets.Former FPCCI Senior Vice President Hanif Gohar said Pakistan should translate its cordial diplomatic relations with ASEAN into stronger commercial partnerships. He urged Pakistani companies to participate more actively in ASEAN exhibitions and called for regular interaction between chambers and trade associations.
The event was attended by consuls general and diplomats from ASEAN member states, representatives of ASEAN dialogue and sectoral dialogue partner countries, Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials, FPCCI business council chairmen, business leaders and representatives of international trade and investment promotion organisations, including Jetro and Kotra.
ASEAN diplomatic representatives outlined opportunities in their respective markets and encouraged Pakistani businesses to explore greater trade and investment cooperation.Jetro Country Head Masatomo Itonaga and Kotra Director General Sungwoon Hwang also spoke about opportunities in Asian markets, investment, technology and business partnerships.
Presentations were delivered by Pakistan’s Trade and Investment Counsellor for ASEAN Naseem Rashed, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation representative Nadar Ali Ghanghro and Maria Eugenia, technical adviser for ASEAN countries at the Pharmaceutical Industry in the Philippines.
Speakers highlighted market and sector-specific opportunities for Pakistani businesses.The event concluded with calls for sustained B2B engagement, increased trade and investment, joint ventures, greater participation in exhibitions and stronger institutional cooperation.
