ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to private sector-led economic growth, describing the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) Business Opportunity Conference in Istanbul as a key step toward boosting bilateral trade with Türkiye to $5 billion.
Speaking at a press conference hosted by the ICCI on Tuesday, Khan said the conference, scheduled for August 13 in Istanbul, will provide a valuable platform to strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries. He announced that he would lead the Pakistani business delegation and facilitate high-level engagements with Turkish investors.
Emphasizing the longstanding political and brotherly ties between Pakistan and Türkiye, Khan said the relationship must now evolve into a stronger economic partnership driven by investment, joint ventures, technology transfer, and expanded business collaboration.
He noted that Pakistan has entered a new phase of political and macroeconomic stability, which has enhanced international investor confidence. The government’s focus, he said, is to empower the private sector, accelerate industrialization, and position Pakistan as a competitive manufacturing and export hub.
Khan highlighted that reforms are underway to improve the ease of doing business by simplifying regulations, rationalizing tariffs, and enhancing industrial competitiveness. He added that the government is also introducing progressive industrial, automotive, and electric vehicle (EV) policies while promoting growth in renewable energy, battery manufacturing, electronics, and pharmaceuticals.
He further said that special attention is being given to strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and exporters through improved access to finance, export refinancing facilities, and targeted tax incentives.
ICCI President Sardar Tahir Mehmood thanked the government for supporting the chamber’s international business outreach initiatives. He said the Istanbul conference aims to showcase Pakistan’s investment potential, facilitate business-to-business (B2B) meetings, attract foreign investment, and generate export opportunities across key sectors, including real estate, construction, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, information technology, agriculture, food processing, textiles, tourism, engineering, and logistics.
Mehmood reiterated ICCI’s commitment to promoting Pakistan as a reliable and investment-friendly destination while strengthening economic diplomacy through private sector engagement. He expressed confidence that the conference would play a significant role in achieving the shared goal of expanding bilateral trade with Türkiye to $5 billion.
Also speaking on the occasion, Enes Malik Cetin, Commercial Counsellor at the Turkish Embassy in Islamabad, welcomed the initiative and said enhanced B2B matchmaking would further deepen trade and investment ties between Pakistan and Türkiye.
