KARACHI: Atif Ikram Sheikh, President FPCCI; President ECO-CCI and VP CACCI, has emphasized that ASEAN is one of Pakistan's major trading partners; with bilateral trade reaching $9.06 billion. However, the trade balance remains heavily in favor of ASEAN member countries - as Pakistan's exports stand at $2.2 billion; while imports totaled $6.8 billion-90% of which is concentrated among five countries: Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia.

It is pertinent to note that ASEAN Day was commemorated at FPCCI Head Office, Federation House, Karachi, with the primary objective to strengthen Pakistan-ASEAN connectivity in transportation, communication and blue economy; as well as, fostering closer people-to-people; business-to-business and trade ties. The session was attended by senior diplomats, government officials, industrialists, exporters, and other prominent stakeholders from across ASEAN member nations. 

Atif Ikram Sheikh maintained that, given ASEAN's ascension up the value chain in manufacturing and services in the world markets, FPCCI wants to provide a platform to discuss strategies for smoother trade terms, market exploration and mutually beneficial partnerships for the Pakistani business, industry and trade community.

Herman Hardynata Ahmad, Consul General of Malaysia in Karachi, who was the guest of honor of the high-profile ceremony, expressed his optimism on the series of concrete trade promotion activities and economic diplomacy ongoing between Pakistan and ASEAN - and, termed the efforts of FPCCI as instrumental in facilitation of business tourism, trade agreements and exchange of delegations.

Published in The Daily National Courier, August, 14 2025

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.