By Our Correspondent
KARACHI: Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) President Atif Ikram Sheikh—who also serves as President ECO-CCI and Vice President CACCI—warmly welcomed a distinguished trade delegation from Kyrgyzstan at the FPCCI Head Office in Karachi on Tuesday.
The delegation included senior parliamentarians, diplomats, prominent business leaders, and other key stakeholders.
The occasion marked the Pakistan–Kyrgyzstan Trade and Investment Forum, organized amid growing interest from both countries to strengthen trade and economic ties.
Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh expressed optimism over the outcome of the recently held Pakistan-Kyrgyzstan Inter-Governmental Commission, which agreed to enhance bilateral trade volume from the current $16 million to $100 million, acknowledging that the existing level falls significantly short of its potential.
The forum’s chief guest, H.E. Mr. Edil Baisalov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, shared that Kyrgyzstan is undergoing rapid industrialization, presenting vast opportunities for joint ventures, foreign investment, and economic collaboration.
H.E. Mr. Kylychbek Sultan, Kyrgyz Ambassador to Pakistan, noted that both nations are working to develop new trade corridors to facilitate a more enabling and accessible environment for bilateral commerce.
Speaking on regional connectivity, FPCCI Senior Vice President Mr. Saquib Fayyaz Magoon highlighted the strategic potential of the 200 km route from China’s Kashgar to Kyrgyzstan, which connects through Pakistan via CPEC. He proposed utilizing the Torugart and Erkeshtam passes to establish access to Gwadar Port, thereby boosting regional trade.
Magoon also stressed the importance of reciprocal single-country exhibitions, regular exchange of trade delegations, and the urgent need to eliminate non-tariff and non-technical barriers (NTMs/NTBs). He emphasized the importance of strong institutional collaboration between FPCCI and Kyrgyzstan’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI-KG).
FPCCI Vice President and Sindh Regional Chairman Mr. Abdul Mohamin Khan showcased Pakistan’s improved business environment, highlighting key reforms such as streamlined company registration, digital tax filing, 100% foreign ownership in multiple sectors, and incentives under Special Economic Zones (SEZs) including tax holidays and duty-free imports.
Another FPCCI Vice President, Mr. Aman Paracha, reaffirmed the federation’s commitment to following up on the forum’s discussions and working with relevant stakeholders to translate ideas into tangible outcomes.
Additionally, Mr. Asif Sakhi, VP FPCCI, underscored the need for safe, cost-effective, and scalable trade routes, stating that given the opportunity, Pakistan has the capacity to significantly expand its exports to Kyrgyzstan.
