Atif Ikram Sheikh, President of Pakistan’s Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and the Economic Cooperation Organization’s Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ECO-CCI), hosted the 30th Executive Committee meeting and the 20th General Assembly at FPCCI headquarters in Federation House, Karachi. This significant event, dubbed a notable honor for regional trade and economic diplomacy, brought together high-level participants from ECO-CCI member chambers along with representatives from the ETDB (ECO Trade and Development Bank), ECO Secretariat, and other key stakeholders.
During the opening ceremony presided over by Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh, he delivered a comprehensive overview of FPCCI’s activities. Mr. Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, Senior Vice President of FPCCI, along with representatives from Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture and the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), discussed vital issues, challenges, and opportunities for ECO member countries.
Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh emphasized institutional support for regional commercial development, highlighted by statements from key figures such as Abdul Karim Memon, Director General of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) on behalf of the Ministry of Commerce. He also recognized significant messages conveyed by the leadership of ECO Trade and Development Bank, the President of the ECO Science Foundation, the Secretary General of the OIC Arbitration Centre, and the Secretary General of ECO.
A significant moment in the agenda was the signing ceremony between ECO-CCI and the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development (ICCD), during which Atif Ikram Sheikh signed a Memorandum of Understanding with H.E. Sheikh Yousef Hassan Khalawi from ICDD to institutionalize future cooperation. The event also included robust working sessions focused on operationalizing regional connectivity, where presentations were made by Chairpersons of ECO-CCI Specialized Committees covering critical sectors such as trade facilitation, transportation, tourism, industry, investment, SME promotion, and the Women Entrepreneurs Council.
Speaking about these sessions, SVP Saquib Fayyaz Magoon highlighted that they provide a platform for specialized committee heads and Pakistani representatives to discuss progress and strategies for economic growth. He also mentioned in-depth discussions on enhancing regional infrastructure and mobility, including plans for the ECO Exhibition, implementation of the ECO Visa Sticker Initiative, operationalization of the ECO Train Project, development of a dedicated ECO website, as well as updates from recent Regional Planning Committee meetings to ensure alignment across member states.
Brigadier Iftikhar Opel, Secretary General.