Islamabad, January 19, 2026: Philippine Ambassador to Pakistan Emmanuel R. Fernandez received a courtesy call from the leadership of the Gujranwala Business Centre (GBC), led by Chairman Ahmad Ikram Lone, at the Philippine Embassy in Islamabad, reaffirming shared commitments to trade internationalization and deeper engagement with ASEAN markets.
During the meeting, Mr. Lone expressed the GBC’s appreciation for the Embassy’s consistent support over the past three years, particularly in initiatives aimed at expanding Gujranwala’s global trade footprint. He noted that the city’s business community has increasingly transitioned from a predominantly domestic focus to a stronger export-oriented outlook, with diversified international partnerships.
Highlighting the ASEAN Business Forum held in Gujranwala, Mr. Lone said the event—attended by ASEAN Heads of Mission and key Pakistani stakeholders—significantly enhanced the city’s soft image within diplomatic and business circles in Islamabad. The forum, he added, encouraged local enterprises to explore opportunities across ASEAN markets, including the Philippines.
Mr. Lone also announced that the GBC will host an Awards Ceremony on February 3, 2026, to celebrate business success stories and the Centre’s continued journey toward internationalization. Ambassador Fernandez was formally invited as Guest of Honor and nominated for the GBC Excellence Award 2026, in recognition of the Philippine Embassy’s role as a valued partner.
Ambassador Fernandez welcomed the engagement and underscored the importance of close collaboration with dynamic private-sector institutions such as the GBC. He emphasized the Philippines’ interest in promoting virtual and innovative modes of business interaction, alongside structured government-to-government mechanisms.
In this context, the Ambassador briefed the GBC on the planned convening of the Philippines–Pakistan Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting in mid-February 2026, describing it as a strategic platform to further strengthen bilateral economic cooperation.
Both sides also discussed prospects for organizing a private-sector-led business delegation to the Philippines in alignment with the JEC’s objectives. The GBC expressed readiness to lead such an initiative as part of its broader program to explore ASEAN markets, following its engagements in Central Asia and Africa.
Mr. Lone further noted that a similar ASEAN Business Forum is under consideration for Gujranwala in the second half of 2026, when the Philippines is expected to assume the Chairmanship of the ASEAN Committee in Islamabad. He assured the Ambassador that the GBC would be pleased to host and welcome ASEAN partners once again.
The meeting also reflected on growing people-to-people ties between Filipinos and Pakistanis. Mr. Lone recalled Ambassador Fernandez’s earlier cultural outreach activities in Lahore, which gained strong online resonance and highlighted the warmth and harmony characteristic of Philippine public diplomacy.
Ambassador Fernandez thanked Chairman Lone and the GBC delegation for their proactive approach, reaffirming the Embassy’s commitment to working closely with the GBC to advance Philippine–Pakistan trade relations, ASEAN connectivity, and meaningful economic collaboration in the year ahead.
