ICCI Hosts Session on Preparing Pakistani Businesses for Emerging EU Sustainability Requirements

ISLAMABAD ( WNAM REPORT):  President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Sardar Tahir Mehmood, has emphasized that Pakistan’s economic future hinges on export-led growth, enhanced industrial productivity and stronger integration with international markets, particularly the European Union.
He expressed these views while addressing the concluding session of an orientation workshop titled “CSDDD Readiness: Foundations & Practical Steps,” organized at ICCI by the Trust for Democratic Education and Accountability (TDEA), a technical partner in the European Union-funded Huqooq-e-Pakistan II Programme, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Addressing exporters, entrepreneurs and members of the business community, Sardar Tahir Mehmood observed that the global trading landscape is evolving rapidly, with competitiveness increasingly shaped by sustainability, transparency, ethical business practices, resilient supply chains and compliance with emerging regulatory frameworks, including the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). He stressed that Pakistani businesses should view these developments not as barriers but as opportunities for innovation, modernization and long-term competitiveness. He added that export expansion remains an economic imperative for Pakistan, contributing to stronger foreign exchange reserves, industrial growth, employment generation and overall economic resilience.
He noted that the European Union remains one of Pakistan’s most valuable trading partners, while Pakistan continues to enjoy a strategic advantage as the largest beneficiary of the GSP+ scheme, providing duty-free access to nearly two-thirds of EU tariff lines. However, he emphasized that preferential market access alone is insufficient to ensure sustainable export growth and highlighted the importance of preparedness, market intelligence, diversification and value addition. He further stated that while textiles, sports goods and surgical instruments have earned Pakistan a strong global reputation, the pharmaceutical sector offers immense potential for future expansion, adding that Islamabad and its surrounding industrial region are steadily emerging as Pakistan’s “Pharma Valley.”
Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Amber Asghar, Business and Human Rights (BHR) Specialist at UNDP, underscored the importance of translating concepts into actionable strategies by equipping businesses with practical tools and hands-on support to understand, implement and benefit from evolving compliance requirements. She reaffirmed UNDP’s commitment to continued stakeholder engagement and collaborative efforts aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s preparedness for emerging international sustainability standards.
In their remarks, ICCI Senior Vice President Tahir Ayub and Vice President Irfan Chaudhry highlighted the significance of the session in promoting exports and contributing to the country’s economic wellbeing. They assured participants that ICCI would continue organizing such impactful programmes to raise awareness, strengthen exporters’ capacities and facilitate their access to international markets.
Shahid Fiaz, Chief Executive Officer (TDEA); Adnan Anjum, Team Lead – Business and Human Rights (TDEA); Salahuddin Safdar, Team Lead – Research and Advocacy (TDEA); and Ms. Rukhsana Shama, Team Lead – Gender and Inclusion (TDEA), shared insights into evolving European market requirements, particularly CSDDD and its implications for Pakistani businesses. The session was facilitated by Tauseef Zaman, former Senior Vice President of ICCI.
Participants termed the programme a timely and meaningful initiative and emphasized the importance of equipping Pakistani exporters with practical knowledge and compliance awareness to effectively navigate European markets and capitalize on emerging opportunities. Those present also included ICCI Executive Members Malik Abdul Aziz, Imran Minhas, Waseem Chaudhry, Zulqurnain Abbasi, Raja Naveed Satti, Ms. Shumaila Siddiqui, and ICCI members Ms. Saddaf Asim Abbasi, Ms. Uzma Sheeraz, along with a large number of representatives from the business community.