Sharjah, 5 September 2024 (TDI): The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has launched the Pakistan Business Council in Sharjah to strengthen economic cooperation between Pakistan and the UAE.
The initiative is designed to enhance trade and investment exchanges, capitalizing on available opportunities for mutual growth and development of the private sector.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the SCCI headquarters, was attended by Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of the SCCI; Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UAE; Waleed Abdul Rahman Bukhatir, Second Vice Chairman of SCCI; and Hussain Muhammad, Consul General of Pakistan.
Key members of the Chamber’s Board of Directors and representatives of the Pakistani business community in Sharjah were also present.
Abdallah Sultan Al Owais stated that the launch of the Pakistan Business Council is a significant addition to the network of business councils operating under the Sharjah Chamber’s umbrella.
He highlighted that these councils provide platforms for companies to connect, collaborate, and forge mutually beneficial partnerships.
He further emphasized that the new council is part of SCCI’s strategy to expand the number of business councils, thereby enhancing economic collaboration, fostering cross-border partnerships, and strengthening investment and trade ties with global business communities.
Pakistan-UAE Relations Highlighted
Al Owais noted that the UAE and Pakistan share a strong historical relationship, further strengthened by strategic economic and trade partnerships.
The non-oil trade volume between the two countries reached AED 25.7 billion in 2022, marking a 30% increase from AED 19.8 billion in 2021.
He added that the UAE has committed a $10 billion investment in Pakistan’s key economic sectors, underscoring the strong commitment to deepening bilateral relations.
He said the establishment of the Pakistan Business Council in Sharjah is expected to play a pivotal role in fostering sustainable partnerships and elevating business relations between the two countries to new heights.
Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UAE, praised the efforts of the Sharjah Chamber in launching the Pakistan Business Council, emphasizing that it will create significant opportunities for Pakistani entrepreneurs to engage with Sharjah’s business community.
He noted that this initiative would boost employment, drive innovation across various sectors, and provide a platform for Pakistani businesses to expand within the UAE and into regional markets.
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Syed Muhammad Tahir, Chairman of the Founding Committee of the Pakistan Business Council, acknowledged the Sharjah Chamber’s efforts in creating new economic opportunities for investors and innovators.
He pointed out that the council will play a critical role in bolstering the private sector’s engagement in Sharjah’s economy and opening new avenues for collaboration between the two nations.
The ceremony also included a presentation on the mission and strategic goals of the business councils under the Sharjah Chamber.
These councils aim to enhance bilateral cooperation, increase trade and investment volumes, and promote collaboration across all relevant sectors, thereby supporting the Chamber’s overarching objectives.
