FPCCI Hosts High-Level Iranian Trade Delegation Projects $10 Billion Bilateral Trade Potential in Coming Years Atif Ikram Sheikh, President FPCCI

Karachi: Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh, President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce
& Industry (FPCCI), has expressed his objective optimism for rapid increase in bilateral trade
volumes between Pakistan and Iran. It is pertinent to note that today FPCCI hosted a prominent
Iranian business and government delegation at the Federation House – laying the groundwork for
a massive expansion in cross-border economic ties.

Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh apprised that, following extensive B2B meetings and policy discussions,
FPCCI leadership confidently projected that scaling the bilateral trade volume between Pakistan
and Iran to $10 billion within the next few years is highly achievable through strategic alignment
and the resolution of technical barriers to trade.

The Iranian delegation consisted of H. E. Mr. Hasani, Deputy Governor for Economic Affairs of
Sistan and Baluchestan Province; H. E. Mr. Akbar Eissa Zadeh, Consul General of Iran in
Karachi; Mr. Mohammad Saeed Arbabi, CEO of the Chabahar Free Zone and other prominent
business personalities.

Mr. Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, SVP FPCCI, informed that the dialogue focused heavily on
unlocking immediate commercial opportunities in core sectors; including, logistics,
transportation, maritime linkages, rice and meat exports.

Mr. Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, SVP FPCCI, highlighted the operational mechanisms required to
reach these trade targets. Unlocking this $10 billion potential requires formalizing and fully
operationalizing our barter and regional trade mechanisms.

Mr. Abdul Mohamin Khan, VP & Regional Chairman Sindh, FPCCI, has said that by fostering
direct, robust B2B linkages and establishing secure, alternative payment channels, we can
overcome existing bottlenecks and significantly reduce the cost of doing business between our
two nations.

Mr. Nasir Khan, VP FPCCI, addressed the critical infrastructure required for this trade volume
and pointed toward maritime and logistical synergy. We must pivot our perspective and view the
ports of Gwadar and Chabahar as complementary assets rather than competitors. By integrating
our logistics, transportation and maritime strategies, we can transform this region into a premier
global transit hub – facilitating seamless cargo movement and joint industrial ventures.

Mr. Asif Sakhi focused on the immediate export potential and underscored the importance of
agricultural and food sectors. Pakistan possesses an immense, untapped capacity to meet Iran's
growing food security needs. Our premium rice and halal meat sectors are fully equipped to
capture a massive share of the Iranian market. To realize this, we urge authorities on both sides to
drastically simplify customs procedures, modernize border management and ensure
uninterrupted cold-chain logistics, he added.

The visit concluded with a consensus on establishing dedicated follow-up on the B2B linkages.
FPCCI reiterated its commitment to aggressively pursuing the $10 billion trade target through
sustained economic diplomacy and private-sector advocacy

Brig Iftikhar Opel, SI (M), Retd.
Secretary General