ICCI-PBF France & Europe join hands to expand trade, investment
DNA
ISLAMABAD: President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) Mohammad Zikria Akbar Zia has called for stronger Pakistan-France business partnerships, particularly in tourism, sustainable infrastructure, luxury brands, fragrances, cosmetics and other high-value sectors, saying Pakistan’s largely unexplored tourism potential offers significant opportunities for European investors. Addressing a 12-member delegation of the Pakistan Business Forum France & Europe, led by Vice President Dr. Hamza Taj, at the Chamber House, he said the Forum’s focus on economic, technological, cultural and tourism cooperation could help translate bilateral goodwill into concrete business opportunities. He said Gilgit-Baltistan, northern Pakistan and other scenic regions offered exceptional potential for sustainable tourism development, including eco-friendly cottages, small tourist villages and modern hospitality facilities inspired by successful models in the Swiss and French Alps.
Mohammad Zikria Akbar Zia emphasized that Pakistan could benefit considerably from French and European expertise in sustainable tourism, natural-resource management, conservation and hospitality development. He said joint ventures between Pakistani and French companies could help develop tourism destinations, attract more European visitors, create employment and generate investment while protecting the environment and preserving Pakistan’s natural heritage.
Vice President Pakistan Business Forum France & Europe Dr. Hamza Taj, Chief Organizer Chaudhary Mohammad Salman Aslam, Secretary General Yassir Khan, Patron-in-Chief Ibrahim Mohammad, Mayor of Villiers-le-Bel Ms. Djida Techtach, Mayor of Creil Omar Yaqoob, Ms. Malika Bilad, Ms. Saima Bhatti and other delegation members highlighted the wide-ranging potential for trade, investment and tourism cooperation between Pakistan and France. The delegation emphasized the importance of close institutional collaboration between the Pakistan Business Forum France & Europe and ICCI to identify, promote and capitalize on emerging business opportunities.
ICCI Senior Vice President Mohammad Ashfaq Hussain Chattah moderated the session, while ICCI Executive Member Ms. Saddaf Asim Abbasi, former ICCI President Mian Shaukat Masood and other participants took part in an interactive question-and-answer session exploring prospects for bilateral trade, investment, tourism and joint ventures.
Those prominent among the attendees included ICCI Vice President Mohammad Waqas Khan, Executive Members Umer Hussain Malik, Abbas Hashmi, Mohammad Israr Mishwani, Shahid Abbasi, Syed Imran Bukhari, Rana Istkhar Ali Khan, Mazhar Hussain, Mohammad Nauman, Muhammad Arif, Muhammad Fawad Sehgal, Mohammad Khurshid, Muhammad Sohail Chaudhry, Malik Rashid Tufail, Ms. Nageena Khaleeque and other members of the business community.
