Islamabad (TDI): Efforts to strengthen economic ties between Pakistan and Romania gained momentum as Atif Farooqi, Advisor and Chief Operating Officer of the Pakistan‑Romania Business Council, met with Muzzafar Ahmed Mirza, Commissioner Licensing at the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, to discuss regulatory facilitation for Romanian companies entering Pakistan’s market.
The meeting focused on streamlining licensing procedures and improving compliance mechanisms to make Pakistan a more attractive destination for foreign investors, particularly from Romania.
Farooqi highlighted the PRBC’s ongoing efforts to promote bilateral trade and investment, noting a growing interest among Romanian firms in sectors such as infrastructure, energy, and manufacturing.
He emphasized that while Pakistan offers significant market potential, smoother regulatory processes and institutional support from SECP would be key to building investor confidence.
“There is clear momentum in Pakistan-Romania business engagement, but ease of doing business remains central to converting interest into actual investment,” Farooqi noted during the discussion.
Mirza acknowledged the importance of facilitating foreign investment and reiterated SECP’s commitment to improving transparency and efficiency in licensing frameworks.
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He expressed willingness to explore closer coordination with PRBC to address procedural bottlenecks and provide guidance to incoming investors.
The discussions also referenced the recently signed memorandum of understanding between the Karachi Port Trust and the Constanța Port Authority, which has been widely viewed as a significant step toward enhancing maritime connectivity and trade flows between the two countries.
Farooqi described the agreement as a “milestone” that could serve as a catalyst for broader economic cooperation. He also acknowledged the role of Dan Stoenescu, Romania’s Ambassador to Pakistan, in advancing bilateral relations, particularly in facilitating dialogue between public and private sector stakeholders.
Pakistan has been actively seeking to diversify its foreign investment base in recent years, with European markets emerging as areas of growing interest. Improved regulatory coordination, such as the initiatives discussed in this meeting, is seen as essential to attracting sustainable investment.
Both sides concluded the meeting with an agreement to strengthen collaboration on trade facilitation, investment promotion, and regulatory support.
