Export Growth depends on strong commercial diplomacy: ICCI acting President

ISLAMABAD ( WNAM REPORT ):  Acting President of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Tahir Ayub, has stressed that Pakistan must place commercial diplomacy at the heart of its economic and foreign policy to achieve sustainable export growth, attract foreign investment, and strengthen its position in regional and global markets.
Speaking to a delegation of visiting Industrialists including Zikria Zia, Iftikhar Sethi, Mian Waqas Masood and Mirza Mohammad Ali at the Chamber House on Monday, he said that while Pakistan possesses immense potential in manufacturing, agriculture, information technology, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, minerals, and services, the country has yet to fully capitalize on these strengths due to the absence of a coordinated and results-oriented commercial diplomacy framework.
Tahir Ayub emphasized that Pakistani embassies and trade missions abroad should serve as proactive economic ambassadors, working closely with the business community to identify emerging market opportunities, facilitate business-to-business linkages, organize sector-specific trade events, and help Pakistani exporters establish long-term commercial partnerships. He noted that diplomatic missions should be evaluated not only on traditional diplomatic achievements but also on their contribution to expanding exports, attracting foreign direct investment, and promoting Pakistan’s economic interests.
The ICCI Acting President underscored the importance of exploring untapped markets in Africa, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe while consolidating Pakistan’s presence in traditional export destinations. He said that reducing overdependence on a limited number of markets would enhance export resilience and create new opportunities for Pakistani businesses.
He further called for greater engagement with the Pakistani diaspora, describing overseas Pakistanis as valuable economic ambassadors who can play a pivotal role in promoting Pakistani brands, facilitating trade partnerships, attracting investment, and opening doors to international markets.
On his part Vice President Irfan Chaudhry emphasized that regular interaction between Pakistani diplomats and the business community should become an institutionalized practice, enabling exporters to communicate market-specific challenges and receive timely support. He proposed establishing dedicated commercial facilitation desks at Pakistani missions abroad to assist exporters and investors more effectively.
On this ICCI Executive Member Raja Naveed Satti, ICCI former Vice President Saif-ur-Rehman, ICCI senior members Ch. Tahir Mehmood and Sohail Chaudhry were also present.