ASEAN Trade Delegation Visits Pakistan to Strengthen Economic Ties

Karachi: A 45-member trade and industry delegation from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) visited the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) on April 21, 2025. The visit was led by Mr. Goh Boon Kim and aimed at fostering business opportunities and strengthening trade relations between Pakistan and ASEAN countries.

Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh, President of FPCCI, welcomed the delegates to the FPCCI Head Office in Karachi. He highlighted the economic significance of the ASEAN bloc, which comprises 10 countries with a combined GDP of $3.6 trillion, making it the fifth-largest economy and export market globally.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Faiz Ahmad, Chief Executive of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), and the Consul Generals of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. The session was followed by a Business-to-Business (B2B) engagement, providing a platform for Pakistani and ASEAN businessmen to explore untapped export avenues, investments, and potential joint ventures.

Mr. Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, Senior Vice President of FPCCI, noted that the ASEAN delegation included prominent businessmen from diverse sectors such as textiles, agriculture, food, construction, IT, healthcare, and renewable energy. He emphasized the need to enhance trade relations, as current trade volumes are below potential, despite existing agreements like the Free Trade Agreement with Malaysia and the Preferential Trade Agreement with Indonesia.

Mr. Magoon also mentioned ongoing negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement with Thailand and a Preferential Trade Agreement with Vietnam. He stressed the importance of addressing Pakistan’s $11 billion trade deficit with ASEAN countries.

Mr. Abdul Mohamin Khan, Regional Chairman and Vice President FPCCI, remarked on the growing multidimensional relations between Pakistan and ASEAN, founded on mutual trust, cooperation, and cultural linkages. He expressed satisfaction with the participation of key stakeholders in the B2B session.

Mr. Asif Inam, Vice President FPCCI, encouraged ASEAN investors to consider Pakistan’s strategic location and abundant workforce as incentives for establishing manufacturing units, targeting markets in the Middle East, Central Asia, and Western China.