Sardar Tahir Mehmood for Unlocking New Trade Avenues With Nigeria
ISLAMABAD, DEC 30 /DNA/ – The Charge d’ Affairs of the Nigerian High Commission to Pakistan, Mr. Yushau Mohammed, has said that Nigeria and Pakistan enjoy numerous areas of common interest and that his country offers multiple promising avenues for trade and investment. He emphasized that the Government of Pakistan, the private sector, and the people of Pakistan must move forward collectively to fully capitalize on these opportunities.
He expressed these views while speaking at the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) on Monday. The meeting was attended by President ICCI Sardar Tahir Mehmood, Senior Vice President Tahir Ayub, Vice President Irfan Chaudhry, former President ICCI and Chairman Diplomatic Affairs Committee Zafar Bakhtawari, along with Executive Members and former office bearers of the Chamber.
Mr. Yushau Mohammed highlighted that Africa is the third-largest trading partner of Pakistan, underscoring the strong foundation for expanding economic relations. He pointed out existing and potential collaboration between Pakistan and African countries, particularly in education, defence cooperation, military training, equipment supply, and oil exploration.
Identifying priority sectors for bilateral cooperation, the Charge d’ Affairs mentioned agriculture and agro-processing, pharmaceuticals and healthcare products, textiles and value-added garments, rice, wheat and food exports, engineering goods, and construction materials as key areas where both countries can benefit through joint ventures and trade partnerships.
Appreciating the proactive role of ICCI, he lauded the Chamber’s efforts in promoting trade and investment linkages with overseas entrepreneurs through engagement with relevant chambers. He also invited the ICCI leadership to plan a visit to Abuja to further strengthen institutional and business-to-business cooperation.
In his welcome address, President ICCI Sardar Tahir Mehmood stated that Pakistan and Nigeria enjoy long-standing friendly and cordial relations, based on mutual respect, shared aspirations, and cooperation at bilateral and multilateral platforms. He said both countries are leading economies in their respective regions and possess immense potential to deepen collaboration, particularly in the fields of trade, investment, and economic cooperation.
He further said that the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry has consistently played a pivotal role in promoting economic diplomacy and strengthening international trade linkages, and remains fully committed to facilitating closer engagement between the business communities of Pakistan and Nigeria.
Senior Vice President ICCI Tahir Ayub expressed the hope that stronger collaboration between ICCI and Nigerian trade and investment institutions would help unlock new avenues of cooperation and contribute to sustainable economic growth for both countries.
Former President ICCI and Chairman Diplomatic Affairs Committee Zafar Bakhtawari termed the interaction an excellent opportunity for enhancing trade volumes, improving connectivity, addressing market access issues, and encouraging two-way investments. He also suggested the formation of a joint think tank to explore new areas of cooperation and long-term partnership between Pakistan and Nigeria.
Among others present on the occasion were Garba Auwalu, Third Secretary ( Economic, Trade and Investment ) Nigerian High Commision, Executive Members Abdur Rehman Siddiqui, Waseem Chaudhry, Imran Minhas, Zulqurnain Abbasi, and former Senior Vice President Khalid Chaudhry.
