FPCCI URGES SWIFT VISA FACILITATION & B2B LINKAGES TO UNLOCK PAK-OMAN TRADE POTENTIAL ATIF IKRAM SHEIKH, PRESIDENT FPCCI

KARACHI: Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh, President FPCCI, has said that the Federation of Pakistan Chambers
of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) has made a strong plea for the streamlining of business visa procedures
with the Sultanate of Oman, stressing the issue a major requirement to achieve the true potential of
Pak-Oman economic relations.

Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh highlighted that the call comes as the FPCCI prepares to organize a major Single
Country Exhibition in Oman, expected in January 2026 in coordination with Oman Chamber of
Commerce & Industry (OCCI).

Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh articulated the Federation's ambitious vision for bilateral trade, emphasizing that
Pakistan views Oman as a crucial strategic partner and gateway to the wider Gulf Cooperation Council
(GCC) region, Africa and Europe.

The significance of the relationship was recently highlighted by the representation of the country’s apex
trade body by Mr. Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, Senior Vice President FPCCI, at the Oman National Day
celebrations in Karachi, held in the esteemed presence of H. E. Engr. Sami Abdullah Salim Al Khanjari,
Consul General of the Sultanate of Oman in Karachi, and H. E. Sheikh Syed Fayyaz Ali Shah, Sheikh of
the Pakistani-Omani Community – which also included commemoration of the Oman National Day at the
FPCCI Head Office, Federation House, Karachi.

H. E. Engr. Sami Abdullah Salim Al Khanjari, Consul General of the Sultanate of Oman in Karachi, said
that both the countries are working towards operationalizing a ferry service between Oman and Pakistan
for the ease of business, cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

H. E. Sheikh Syed Fayyaz Ali Shah, Sheikh of the Pakistani-Omani Community, expressed his
willingness to facilitate any issues or bottlenecks faced by the business community of Pakistan in travel,
JVs, investments, human resource export, licensing and other matters vis-a-vis establishing their
businesses or exports.

Mr. Saquib Fayyaz Magoon added that the goal is to translate our deep-rooted, historic brotherhood into
substantial, significant economic growth. The planned Single Country Exhibition is a critical step in
showcasing Pakistan’s diversified export strength - from IT and engineering to agriculture and textiles.
This requires an environment conducive to high-volume business interaction.

Mr. Aman Paracha, VP FPCCI, stated that FPCCI is working closely with the Oman Chamber of
Commerce & Industry (OCCI), TDAP and other stakeholders to finalize the modalities for the
single-country exhibition. The focus will be ensuring maximum B2B opportunities to bridge the existing
trade opportunities and diversify our imports and exports.

FPCCI remains optimistic that, through collaborative efforts between the diplomatic and commercial
bodies, the economic relationship between the two brotherly countries will soon reflect the true potential
of their ties.

Providing details on the execution strategy, Mr. Nadeem Mehboob Magoon, Chairman of the Pak-Oman
Business Council of FPCCI, maintained that the council is actively working on the logistical framework
for the upcoming exhibition.

Brig Iftikhar Opel, SI (M), Retd.

Secretary General