Those returning from South Korea: Industrial plots and loans for skilled workers advocated
FAISALABAD: Pakistan can usher in an industrial revolution by providing industrial plots and easy, affordable loans to skilled workers returning from South Korea, said Chairman Pakistan Business Association–South Korea Mudassar Ali Cheema.
Addressing a ceremony at the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI), where he was accompanied by a delegation, Mudassar Cheema said around 25,000 Pakistanis were currently residing in South Korea. Industrial workers constituted the largest group, followed by students and members of the business community.
Explaining South Korea’s labour system, he said Pakistani workers were issued visas for three years, after which they had to return and obtain another three-year visa. He stressed that by providing the returning skilled workforce with the necessary facilities, Pakistan could establish a network of modern industries across the country.
Cheema said the Pakistan Business Association–South Korea organized a Trade and Investment Conference every year to promote Pakistani exports. He proposed holding separate conferences for different sectors of Faisalabad and arranging business-to-business (B2B) meetings between local entrepreneurs and their Korean counterparts.
He also assured the participants that his association would facilitate an early completion of the visa process. He said the association was also actively participating in welfare activities. Appreciating the efforts of the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, he assured full cooperation in implementing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two organizations.
Earlier, FCCI President Farooq Yousaf Sheikh said Faisalabad contributed 57 percent to Pakistan’s textile exports and also played a key role in meeting the country’s domestic textile requirements.
He said Faisalabad was previously known mainly for its textile industry, but several other sectors, including pharmaceuticals, automobiles, dairy and confectionery, were now developing rapidly.
Referring to the modern industrial areas established in Faisalabad, he said more than 550 Chinese industries were currently operating in the city.
Speaking about the Faisalabad Chamber, Farooq Yousaf Sheikh said around 22,000 traders and industrialists were its members. He added that the chamber was now representing not only the business community but also the interests of the city’s population of around 10 million.
He thanked Mudassar Ali Cheema for describing Faisalabad as the most beautiful city after Lahore and said that, due to the chamber’s efforts, direct air connections had been established while around 80 percent of the city’s roads had been renovated. However, he added that Faisalabad still faced a number of challenges.
Paying tribute to Pakistanis living abroad, Farooq Yousaf Sheikh said that while Pakistan’s exports stood at around USD 30 billion, overseas Pakistanis were sending approximately USD 40 billion in remittances to the country.
He said Pakistan had won the diplomatic battle due to the efforts of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, but stressed that hard work was still required to win the economic battle.
Regarding bilateral trade between Pakistan and South Korea, he said Pakistan was facing a trade deficit, and appreciated the efforts of the Pakistan Business Association–South Korea to help reduce the gap.
Senior Vice President Naveed Akram Sheikh thanked the guests at the conclusion of the ceremony. FCCI President Farooq Yousaf Sheikh presented a chamber shield to Mudassar Ali Cheema and pinned special collar pins on him and other members of the delegation in connection with the chamber’s 50th anniversary.
Earlier, the Pakistan Business Association–South Korea and the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote cooperation between the two organizations.
FCCI Vice President Engineer AsimMunir was also present on the occasion.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026