ISLAMABAD, JUL 28 /DNA/ – Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan has reaffirmed the Government of Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to private-sector-led economic growth, describing the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (ICCI) Business Opportunity Conference & Excellence Awards, scheduled to be held in Istanbul on August 13, 2026, as a timely initiative that complements the vision of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to raise bilateral trade to US$5 billion.
Addressing a hugely attended press conference at ICCI here on Tuesday, Haroon Akhtar Khan said Türkiye is Pakistan’s second home and stressed that the deep-rooted political and brotherly ties between the two countries must now be transformed into stronger economic partnerships through investment, joint ventures, technology transfer and enhanced business-to-business collaboration. He announced that he would proudly lead the Pakistani business delegation to Türkiye and facilitate meaningful engagements with Turkish investors and entrepreneurs.
He said Pakistan has entered a new phase of political and macroeconomic stability, resulting in growing international confidence in its economy. He noted that the government’s foremost priority is to empower the private sector, accelerate industrialization and position Pakistan as a competitive manufacturing and export hub. He added that comprehensive reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business, simplifying regulations, rationalizing tariffs and promoting industrial competitiveness are already underway.
Haroon Akhtar Khan further highlighted that the government is introducing progressive industrial, auto and electric vehicle policies while creating new opportunities in renewable energy, battery manufacturing, electronics and pharmaceuticals. He said special emphasis is being placed on strengthening SMEs and exporters through easier access to finance, export refinancing, long-term financing facilities and targeted tax incentives.
Speaking on the occasion, Sardar Tahir Mehmood, President of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, expressed profound gratitude to Haroon Akhtar Khan for his strong support of the Chamber’s international outreach initiatives. He said ICCI’s Business Opportunity Conference in Istanbul is designed to showcase Pakistan’s economic potential, facilitate high-impact B2B meetings, attract investment, promote joint ventures, encourage technology transfer and create new export opportunities in sectors including real estate, construction, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, information technology, agriculture, food processing, textiles, tourism, engineering and logistics.
He emphasized that ICCI is committed to projecting Pakistan as a peaceful, reliable and investment-friendly destination while strengthening economic diplomacy through private-sector engagement. He expressed confidence that the conference would make a meaningful contribution towards achieving the shared Pakistan–Türkiye vision of expanding bilateral trade to US$5 billion and opening a new chapter of economic cooperation between the two brotherly nations.
Enes Malik Cetin, Commercial Counsellor at the Embassy Turkiye, Islamabad while hailing the ICCI leadership for the initiative expressed confidence that the visit will prove fruitful and the B2B match making will lead to further strengthening of two countries trade and investment relations.Those present on the occasion included ICCI Founder Group Chairman Sheikh Tariq Sadiq, Senior Vice President Tahir Ayub, Vice President Irfan Chaudhry, former Presidents Zubair Ahmed Malik, Moammad Ejaz Abbasi, Khalid Javaid, Sheikh Aamir Waheed, Executive Members, Zulqurnain Abbasi, Imran Minhas, Waseem Chaudhry, Mirza Mohammad Ali, Rohail Anwar Butt, Aftab Gujjar, former SVP Khalid Chaudhry, ICCI members Israr Mishwani and trade leaders belonging to different markets of Islamabad.
