By Our Correspondent
LAHORE: Pakistan is in a dire need of well-tailored and sector specific strategy to win Brazilian market as the existing trade volume does not match the potential of the two countries.
This was stated by the President Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ali Hussam Asghar while talking to the Trade Councellor/Head of Mission in Sao Paulo, Embassy of Pakistan in Brazil Dr. Babar Chohan at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
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LCCI Senior Vice President Sardar Usman Ghani, Vice President Khadim Hussain Chaudhry, Executive Committee Members Zulfiqar Ali Chaudhry, Sahir Mushtaq, Muhammad Yasin, Ali Raza, Shahzad Ali Shah, Syed Azmat Ali, Ejaz Ghouri, Shah Behram, Muhammad Ali and Hamad Mahmood, former Senior Vice President Nasir Hameed Khan, former EC Members Syed Salman Ali and Asia Sail Khan also spoke on the occasion.
Ali Hussam Asghar said that expanding bilateral trade relations with international markets should remain a key priority. He underscored the need for greater interaction between the business communities of Pakistan and partner countries, along with enhanced cooperation to explore new markets and increase Pakistan’s exports.
He also highlighted his own experience as a rice exporter and former Chairman of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan, recalling his efforts in 2021 to develop new international markets for Pakistani rice, including engagement with Mexican authorities.
He said that the business community of Pakistan is keen to develop stronger trade and investment linkages and urged the relevant authorities and commercial missions to facilitate Pakistani exporters by providing market intelligence, identifying potential buyers and creating more opportunities for business-to-business interaction.
He urged Dr. Muhammad Babar Chohan to arrange data on Indian exporters to Brazil to help Pakistani exporters identify potential opportunities and expand their market share. He also introduced newly elected Executive Committee Members.
Dr. Muhammad Babar Chohan called for comprehensive measures to enhance Pakistan’s exports to Brazil and other Latin American markets and emphasized sector-specific strategies, market intelligence, commercial diplomacy, innovation, artificial intelligence, international standards and stronger business-to-business linkages.
He also highlighted his own experience as a rice exporter and former Chairman of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan, recalling his efforts in 2021 to develop new international markets for Pakistani rice, including engagement with Mexican authorities.
He said Pakistan needed to approach Latin American markets on a sector-by-sector and product-by-product basis. He said a preliminary document had already been shared with the business community covering selected sectors from a Latin American perspective and that the discussion could be expanded into detailed plans for individual sectors.
He identified Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, among others, as markets where Pakistan could potentially increase exports substantially. He stressed that the objective should not simply be to increase production but to understand what each market actually wants, who the buyers are, what standards apply, what competitors are supplying and at what prices.
He said that upcoming FoodAg 2026in Karachi is an important opportunity to bring Latin American buyers and business leaders to Pakistan. The Head of Mission recalled that during the previous expo, around 15 leading CEOs from Brazil and Colombia had been brought to Karachi for the first time, resulting in significant business contacts and multiple opportunities, particularly in the textile sector.
He said that the business community needs to move toward advanced technology, research and Artificial Intelligence applications.
LCCI Senior Vice Presdient Sardar Usman Ghani said that Pakistan should not limit itself to conventional export categories. There is also a need to identify non-conventional products that Pakistan can supply competitively to international markets. He stressed that authentic trade data and market intelligence can help Pakistani companies move from general market exploration to precise targeting of products and buyers.
LCCI Vice President Chaudhry Khadim Hussain said that Pakistan needs to approach international markets commercially and strategically, with greater focus on competitiveness, market access, product positioning, quality and buyer relationships.
Former LCCI Senior Vice President Nasir Hameed Khan expressed concern over Pakistan’s very small share of Brazil’s overall import market. He said that Brazil’s imports stood at approximately US$280 billion, while Pakistan’s share was stated to be around 0.04 percent. He questioned why Pakistan’s share remains so limited despite having established capabilities in rubber products, apparel, cotton textiles, medical supplies, plastics, surgical instruments, sports goods and other sectors.