SAPM to lead business delegation to Türkiye for promoting trade

ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to private-sector-led economic growth and said that the government is pursuing a comprehensive industrial policy focused on improving industrial competitiveness, promoting export-led growth, and attracting investment from China, Türkiye, and the Central Asian Republics (CARs).

Addressing a press conference here at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), the SAPM announced that he would lead the Pakistani business delegation to Türkiye and facilitate productive engagements between Pakistani and Turkish investors and entrepreneurs to promote trade and investment during ICCI’s upcoming business opportunity conference and excellence awards, scheduled to be held in Istanbul on August 13, 2026.

He emphasised that the longstanding strong relations between the two countries must now translate into stronger economic partnerships through investment, joint ventures, technology transfer, and enhanced business-to-business (B2B) collaboration as per the vision of Prime Minister (PM) of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif and Turkish President to raise bilateral trade to USD 5 billion.

He stressed the need to transform the two countries’ relationship into a stronger economic partnership through increased investment, joint ventures, technology transfer, and enhanced business-to-business collaboration.

He said Pakistan has entered a new phase of political and macroeconomic stability, resulting in growing international confidence in its economy. He noted that the government’s foremost priority is to empower the private sector, accelerate industrialisation and position Pakistan as a competitive manufacturing and export hub. He added that comprehensive reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business, simplifying regulations, rationalising tariffs and promoting industrial competitiveness are already underway.

Haroon Akhtar Khan further highlighted that the government is introducing progressive industrial, auto and electric vehicle policies while creating new opportunities in renewable energy, battery manufacturing, electronics and pharmaceuticals. He said special emphasis is being placed on strengthening SMEs and exporters through easier access to finance, export refinancing, long-term financing facilities and targeted tax incentives.

Speaking on the occasion, Sardar Tahir Mehmood, President ICCI, expressed said ICCI’s Business Opportunity Conference in Istanbul is designed to showcase Pakistan’s economic potential, facilitate high-impact B2B meetings, attract investment, promote joint ventures, encourage technology transfer and create new export opportunities in sectors including real estate, construction, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, information technology, agriculture, food processing, textiles, tourism, engineering and logistics.

He emphasised that ICCI is committed to projecting Pakistan as a peaceful, reliable and investment-friendly destination while strengthening economic diplomacy through private-sector engagement. He expressed confidence that the conference would make a meaningful contribution towards achieving the shared Pakistan–Türkiye vision of expanding bilateral trade to USD 5 billion and opening a new chapter of economic cooperation between the two brotherly nations.

Enes Malik Cetin, Commercial Counsellor at the Embassy of Türkiye, Islamabad, while hailing the ICCI leadership for the initiative, expressed confidence that the visit will prove fruitful and the B2B matchmaking will further strengthen trade and investment relations between the two countries.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026