Islamabad, January 30, 2026: The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) on Friday organized a Roundtable Conference of Senior Diplomats and Commercial Counsellors, aimed at strengthening economic diplomacy and enhancing trade and investment cooperation between Pakistan and the international business community.
Addressing the forum, ICCI President Sardar Tahir Mehmood highlighted Pakistan’s vast trade and investment potential, citing an increasingly business-friendly environment driven by economic reforms, improved ease of doing business, and strong private-sector participation. He said Pakistan, and particularly Islamabad, offers a secure and attractive ecosystem for foreign investors, with expanding opportunities across multiple sectors.
He noted that ICCI has been proactively promoting exports and investment through B2B linkages, international trade delegations, encouragement of joint ventures, engagement with policymakers for regulatory simplification, and the provision of market intelligence to exporters and investors. Reaffirming ICCI’s role as a bridge between the government, diplomatic missions, and the business community, he said the chamber remains committed to translating opportunities into tangible economic outcomes.
Emphasizing the role of Commercial Counsellors and Economic Attachés, Sardar Tahir Mehmood said their facilitation of market access, regulatory guidance, and identification of emerging opportunities is vital for integrating Pakistani businesses into global value chains and diversifying export markets. He also referred to the Islamabad Sister Cities Initiative as a platform supporting ICCI’s broader economic diplomacy efforts.
Additional Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office, Zulfiqar Ali, highlighted the Prime Minister’s initiatives to promote trade, investment, and exports. Director General Trade Policies, Ministry of Commerce, Shafeeq Ahmed Shehzad, briefed participants on measures being undertaken to improve ease of doing business, including tariff rationalization and policy reforms.
Diplomatic representatives, including Ambassador of Yemen Mohammed Motahar Alshabi and officials from the embassies and high commissions of Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sri Lanka, Iran, South Korea, Tunisia, and Kyrgyzstan, appreciated ICCI’s initiative and described Pakistan as a promising destination for trade and investment. They expressed interest in joint ventures and expanding bilateral trade volumes.
In his vote of thanks, former ICCI President and Convener ICCI Standing Committee on Diplomatic Affairs Zafar Bakhtawari stressed the importance of connectivity and sustained institutional engagement in promoting multifaceted economic relations, while reaffirming ICCI’s commitment to serving as a platform for economic collaboration.
Senior Vice President ICCI Tahir Ayub, who conducted the proceedings as master of ceremonies, highlighted the historical, geographical, and economic significance of the participating countries. Convener Islamabad Cities Initiative Sajid Iqbal presented the concept note of the roundtable.
The conference was also attended by ICCI Vice President Irfan Chaudhry, Executive Committee members, and a large number of representatives from the trade and industrial community, who termed the event a significant step toward strengthening Pakistan’s economic diplomacy and international business engagement.
