Islamabad, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan, has reaffirmed the Government of Pakistan’s commitment to private sector-led economic growth, stating that the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (ICCI) Business Opportunity Conference and Excellence Awards, scheduled to be held in Istanbul on August 13, 2026, aligns with the vision of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to enhance bilateral trade between Pakistan and Türkiye to US$5 billion.
Addressing a press conference at the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Haroon Akhtar Khan described Türkiye as Pakistan’s second home and emphasized that the longstanding brotherly relations between the two countries must now translate into stronger economic partnerships through investment, joint ventures, technology transfer, and enhanced business-to-business (B2B) collaboration.
He announced that he would lead the Pakistani business delegation to Türkiye and facilitate productive engagements between Pakistani and Turkish investors and entrepreneurs to promote trade and investment.
Haroon Akhtar Khan said Pakistan has entered a new phase of political and macroeconomic stability, resulting in growing international confidence in the country’s economy. He stressed that the government is committed to empowering the private sector, accelerating industrialisation, and transforming Pakistan into a competitive manufacturing and export hub.
He said the government is pursuing a comprehensive industrial policy focused on improving industrial competitiveness, promoting export-led growth, and attracting investment from China, Türkiye, and the Central Asian Republics (CARs). He added that reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business, simplifying regulations, rationalising tariffs, and creating a business-friendly environment are already underway.
Highlighting key policy initiatives, Haroon Akhtar Khan said the government is introducing progressive industrial, automobile, and electric vehicle policies while creating investment opportunities in renewable energy, battery manufacturing, electronics, and pharmaceuticals. He further stated that special emphasis is being placed on supporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and exporters through easier access to finance, export refinancing facilities, long-term financing schemes, and targeted tax incentives.
Speaking on the occasion, President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sardar Tahir Mehmood, appreciated Haroon Akhtar Khan’s continued support for the Chamber’s international outreach initiatives. He said the Business Opportunity Conference in Istanbul will showcase Pakistan’s economic potential, facilitate high-level B2B meetings, attract investment, promote joint ventures, encourage technology transfer, and create new export opportunities across sectors including real estate, construction, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, information technology, agriculture, food processing, textiles, tourism, engineering, and logistics.
Commercial Counsellor at the Embassy of Türkiye in Islamabad, Enes Malik Cetin, also appreciated ICCI’s initiative and expressed confidence that the conference and B2B matchmaking sessions would further strengthen trade and investment relations between Pakistan and Türkiye.
The press conference was attended by ICCI Founder Group Chairman Sheikh Tariq Sadiq, Senior Vice President Tahir Ayub, Vice President Irfan Chaudhry, former presidents of the Chamber, executive members, and representatives of the business community from Islamabad.
