ISLAMABAD (Special Correspondent) – The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI), in collaboration with the Honorary Consulate General of the Philippines in Karachi, organized a high-level Pakistan-ASEAN Business Roundtable under the theme “Navigating Our Future Together”, bringing together ASEAN diplomats, government representatives and business leaders to strengthen economic cooperation.

Key Points

• FPCCI organized the Pakistan-ASEAN Business Roundtable to strengthen economic cooperation and regional integration.
• Bilateral trade stands at approximately US$11-12 billion, with Pakistan’s exports remaining below US$1.5 billion.
• Hanif Gohar proposed an ASEAN Business Visa Sticker and the restoration of direct flights.
• Diplomats and officials discussed reviewing trade agreements and boosting cooperation in the halal economy.

Economic Imbalance and Strategic Proposals

In his welcome address, Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, Senior Vice President FPCCI, highlighted ASEAN’s economic strength, representing approximately 680 million people and a combined GDP exceeding US$4 trillion. He observed that, despite Pakistan’s longstanding Sectoral Dialogue Partnership with ASEAN since 1993, bilateral trade of approximately US$11-12 billion remains heavily imbalanced, with Pakistan’s exports below US$1.5 billion. He called for a Pakistan-ASEAN Business Forum with FPCCI as its proposed secretariat, regular trade fairs, B2B exchanges, investment promotion through SIFC and SEZs, and enhanced cooperation in the US$7 trillion halal economy. He also urged early progress on the Pakistan-Indonesia PTA review, Pakistan-Malaysia FTA review, and proposed PTAs with the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

Practical Connectivity and Visa Facilitation

Delivering the keynote address, Hanif Gohar, Chairman of the FPCCI Committee on Diplomacy, emphasized that stronger regional integration requires practical initiatives beyond conventional trade. He proposed joint ventures in corporate farming, technology and digital services, and improved transport and logistics connectivity. His key proposal was an “ASEAN Business Visa Sticker’—a proposed one-year, multiple-entry business travel facilitation mechanism for eligible FPCCI members, subject to participating countries’ approval. He also called for facilitating multiple-entry visas for ASEAN investors, restoring direct flights between Karachi and Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Manila, and strengthening correspondent banking relations.

Diplomatic Response and Future Roadmap

H.E. Dr. Emmanuel R. Fernandez, Ambassador of the Philippines and Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Islamabad (ACI), appreciated FPCCI’s initiative and assured participants that proposals concerning the Business Forum and visa facilitation would be conveyed to relevant ASEAN capitals. He also highlighted opportunities for cooperation with the Philippines in rice, halal products, IT and manpower development. Other ASEAN diplomatic representatives shared their respective countries’ perspectives and welcomed stronger B2B engagement, single-country exhibitions and regular consultations.

Bashir Jan Muhammad, Chairman of the Pakistan-Malaysia Business Council of FPCCI, stressed the importance of an early Pakistan-Malaysia trade agreement review and greater cooperation in halal certification, Islamic banking, palm oil value addition, construction and tourism. He also announced plans for a business delegation to Malaysia in early 2027. Chief Guest Irfan Soomro, Director General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), assured FPCCI of MOFA’s support for private-sector-led economic diplomacy and the consideration of proposals relating to visas, trade agreements and connectivity.

The Roundtable concluded with a resolve to develop a two-year Pakistan-ASEAN Business Cooperation Roadmap and institutionalize quarterly FPCCI-ACI meetings, with the FPCCI Committee on Diplomacy serving as the proposed coordinating secretariat to translate dialogue into tangible trade and investment opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current state of trade between Pakistan and ASEAN?

Bilateral trade stands at approximately US$11 to 12 billion, though it remains heavily imbalanced with Pakistan’s exports staying below US$1.5 billion.

What were the main connectivity proposals presented at the roundtable?

Key proposals included an ASEAN Business Visa Sticker, the restoration of direct flights between Karachi and Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Manila, and improved transport and logistics connectivity.