Chamber seeks economic pact with Africa
“President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) Sardar Tahir Mehmood has called for a fundamental shift in Pakistan-Africa relations from traditional diplomatic engagement towards a compre…”
He said Pakistan had a competitive edge in pharmaceuticals, textiles, surgical and sports goods, rice, engineering goods, IT and healthcare. However, he stressed that Pakistan's ambition should go beyond selling products in African markets.
"The real opportunity lies not merely in selling to Africa, but in producing with Africa," he said, emphasising the need to promote joint ventures, co-production, investment partnerships and technology collaboration. Such an approach, he added, could create enduring commercial relationships, strengthen value chains and generate employment in both Pakistan and African countries.
He stressed that business councils and chambers of commerce could play a pivotal role in converting diplomatic goodwill into measurable economic outcomes. "Governments can open doors, diplomats can create connections, but business communities must walk through those doors and turn relationships into contracts, investments and jobs," he remarked.
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