ISLAMABAD - Acting president of the ICCI) Tahir Ayub has stressed that Pakistan must place commer­cial diplomacy at the heart of its economic and foreign policies to achieve sustain­able export growth, attract foreign investment, and strengthen its position in re­gional and global markets.

Speaking to a delegation of visiting Industrialists including Zikria Zia, Iftikhar Sethi, Mian Waqas Masood and Mirza Mo­hammad Ali at Chamber House on Monday, he said that while Pakistan possesses immense potential in manufacturing, agriculture, information tech­nology, pharmaceuticals, engi­neering goods, minerals, and services, country has yet to fully capitalize on these strengths due to absence of a coordinated and results-oriented commer­cial diplomacy framework.

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Tahir Ayub emphasized that Pakistani embassies and trade missions abroad should serve as proactive economic ambas­sadors, working closely with business community to identify emerging market opportuni­ties, facilitate business-to-busi­ness linkages, organize sector-specific trade events, and help Pakistani exporters establish long-term commercial partner­ships. He noted that diplomatic missions should be evaluated not only on traditional diplo­matic achievements but also on their contribution to expanding exports, attracting foreign di­rect investment, and promoting Pakistan’s economic interests.

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The ICCI acting president underscored the importance of exploring untapped markets in Africa, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and East­ern Europe while consolidating Pakistan’s presence in tradi­tional export destinations. He said that reducing overdepen­dence on a limited number of markets would enhance export resilience and create new op­portunities for Pakistani busi­nesses. He further called for greater engagement with the Pakistani diaspora, describing overseas Pakistanis as valu­able economic ambassadors who can play a pivotal role in promoting Pakistani brands, fa­cilitating trade partnerships, at­tracting investment, and open­ing doors to int’l markets.

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