Pakistan retains seat on ICCD’s executive bodies

Pakistan’s representation on the executive committee and financial committee of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development (ICCD) has been renewed for the 2026–2029 term, the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) said on Saturday, strengthening the country’s role in shaping the chamber’s trade, investment and private-sector agenda across OIC member states.

The development was shared by Atif Ikram Sheikh, President of the FPCCI, who apprised that the apex body actively participated in the 40th Board of Directors meeting of the ICCD held in Ankara, Turkiye; where, the board reaffirmed its commitment to promoting economic integration, strengthening the role of the private sector, fostering strategic partnerships, and unlocking new opportunities for trade, investment and sustainable economic growth across the Islamic world and beyond.

A high-level FPCCI delegation, led by Qurrat Ul Ain, VP FPCCI, participated in the board meeting and the accompanying significant events. The meeting brought together business leaders and senior representatives from 19 member countries to review ICCD’s strategic priorities and deliberate on key initiatives aimed at enhancing trade, investment, entrepreneurship, innovation and private sector development across the Islamic world.

Qurrat Ul Ain stated that the ICCD Board also reviewed the implementation of ongoing strategic programmes designed to further strengthen ICCD’s institutional capacity and governance. Special emphasis was placed on the progress achieved under the B57+ Business Leaders Network, ICCD’s flagship initiative for institutionalising business-to-government dialogue, facilitating trade and investment partnerships, and expanding collaboration among member countries.

Qurrat Ul Ain highlighted that ICCD organised a series of high-level roundtables, panel discussions and strategic presentations covering a broad range of issues, including women and youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, capacity building, sustainable development, food security and investment facilitation, while highlighting successful initiatives and best practices from across the Muslim business community.

She also participated as a panellist in the session on “Innovation & Entrepreneurship: Young and Women Entrepreneurs,” where she highlighted the pivotal role of chambers of commerce in promoting entrepreneurship, improving access to finance, developing a supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem, and investing in the next generation of innovators and business leaders.

The FPCCI delegation comprised prominent business leaders representing diverse sectors, including information technology, artificial intelligence, industrial automation and control solutions, tourism, construction, logistics, transportation and security technologies, reflecting the Federation’s commitment to promoting Pakistan’s emerging business sectors and expanding economic cooperation with fellow OIC member countries.

Meanwhile, in a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday, Türkiye’s leading business groups and industry organisations expressed confidence in Pakistan’s economic outlook. They reaffirmed their interest in expanding investments and developing long-term partnerships across a range of strategic sectors.