Trade among Islamic nations must become key focus: TDAP chief

KARACHI: Chief Executive of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) Saqib Chadhar has said the government will fully support economic cooperation among Muslim countries, stressing that trade among Islamic countries must become a key focus.

Addressing the FPCCI Islamic Economy Summit, held at the FPCCI Head Office on Wednesday, he said Pakistan needed to strengthen economic linkages with Muslim countries and enhance trade ties with them.

“Trade among Islamic countries must become our focus,” Chadhar said, emphasising the need to promote greater economic cooperation and business connectivity among OIC member states.

MNA Dr Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, speaking at the summit, said Pakistan had significant potential to become a major exporter of halal food, meat, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and other halal-certified products to Muslim markets.

He said Pakistan’s established textile and garment industry could further expand exports to Islamic countries through competitive pricing, better branding, value addition and halal-compliant production where relevant.

Baig said rice, fruits, vegetables, seafood, meat, livestock and processed food offered substantial export opportunities, particularly in Gulf States.

He also highlighted the potential to increase exports of pharmaceuticals and healthcare products to developing Muslim countries by improving international certifications and regulatory compliance.

He said total trade among OIC member countries reached around USD1 trillion in 2024, compared with USD884 billion in 2023, registering an increase of approximately 13.6 percent.

Intra-OIC trade represented 20.36 percent of OIC countries’ total foreign trade in 2024, compared with 19.16 percent in 2023. The OIC has set a target of 25 percent intra-OIC trade, while 30 OIC countries had already reached the 25 percent target in 2024.

FPCCI Vice President Qurrat-ul-Ain, who chaired the summit, said the combined economy of 57 Muslim countries exceeded USD10 trillion, offering significant opportunities in employment, trade, investment, joint ventures and tourism.

Islamic Chamber Secretary General Sheikh Yousef Hassan Khalawi said economic connectivity and economic tourism needed to be promoted in innovative ways.

Director General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Irfan Soomro said both collective and bilateral trade relations among Islamic countries were important for Pakistan’s economic future.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026