ISLAMABAD: Leadership of Federation Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and Chambers of Commerce’s on Monday hailed the efforts of Ambassador of Tajikistan to Pakistan, Yusuf Sharifzoda Toir for increasing exports in the potential area of “Halal Meat”.
Meanwhile talking to APP here, President, Federation Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Atif Ikram Sheikh said that vast opportunities in the “Halal Meat” sector, noting Pakistan’s planned export of 143,000 tons worth $14.5 million to Tajikistan, which would expand trade in halal products and also increase over all trade between both regional countries.
President FPCCI said that bilateral trade could reach $500 million in the coming years, with the business communities of both countries playing a pivotal role in linking potential sectors.
Meanwhile, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sardar Tahir Mehmood said that Tajikistan is an important trading partner of Pakistan and has huge potential in different sectors including ‘’Halal trade and agri-Products.
Current Ambassador of Tajikistan to Pakistan, Yusuf Sharifzoda Toir has played a role in increasing bilateral trade and providing a future vision for increasing the bilateral economic ties between both sides, he said.
The export focuses on Halal meat, primarily to meet Tajikistan’s demand, which had earlier expressed interest in around 100,000 tons, he said.
The President ICCI said that it is part of broader efforts to increase Pakistan-Tajikistan bilateral trade to up to 500 million, through better trade facilitation, logistics, and potential preferential trade agreements.
Alongside trade, the countries are advancing educational cooperation via a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for student and teacher exchanges, especially on medical education.
President of Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Faheem ur Rehman Saigol said that Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between Pakistan and Tajikistan is the need of the hour to promote trade liberalization between both sides and emphasizing trade liberalization’s role in fostering regional economic integration.
President LCCI said that resumption of the direct air flight between both of the countries will play a significant role in not enhancing the economic and trade ties but cultural relations between both countries.
He said that resuming these flights would boost economic and trade activities while promoting mutual tourism in Pakistan and Tajikistan.
Talking to APP, President Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) Usman Shaukat said that Tajikistan remains a key trade partner for Pakistan, essential to regional economic integration and the Central Asian nations like Tajikistan are vital for Pakistan, with both ready to deepen future economic and trade connections.
Appreciating the Tajikistan’s robust 8 percent annual GDP growth, he said that business communities of the both sides need to exchange the business delegation for enhancing the bilateral economic relations.
It is pertinent to mention that the policy aimed to boost Pakistan’s share in global halal markets, particularly among Muslim-majority nations, by improving livestock productivity, cold storage, and compliance with international standards.
Pakistan produces around 6 million metric tons of halal meat annually, with surplus available for export after meeting domestic needs.
The senior of the Ministry of Commerce described the exports as commencing or “in the near future,” while others frame it as a planned or secured agreement. This initiative supports Pakistan’s push into Central Asian markets and complements similar outreach to countries like Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Gulf states for meat and rice exports.
