Qatar–Pakistan Business Council Holds Inaugural Meeting To Boost Trade Ties

The Qatar–Pakistan Joint Business Council convened its inaugural session on Monday via video conference, marking a significant step toward strengthening bilateral economic and commercial relations between the two countries.

The meeting brought together senior representatives from Qatar Chamber, the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), and leading members of the private sector from both nations to discuss new avenues for cooperation, trade, and investment.

The session was attended by Mohamed bin Ahmed Al Obaidli, board member of Qatar Chamber and chairman of the Qatari side of the Council; Zaki Aijaz, vice president of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI); and Mehmood Arshad, chairman of the Pakistan Chapter of the Qatar–Pakistan Joint Business Council. The Commercial Attaché at the Embassy of Pakistan in Qatar also participated in the discussions.

In his opening remarks, Al Obaidli highlighted the deep-rooted and steadily expanding relations between Qatar and Pakistan, noting that ties between the two countries have witnessed remarkable progress in recent years through high-level official visits, bilateral agreements, and growing cooperation across various sectors.

He stated that bilateral trade between the two countries reached QR11.8 billion in 2025, reflecting the strength and resilience of their economic partnership.

Al Obaidli stressed that the Joint Business Council would serve as an important institutional platform for enhancing communication between the business communities of both countries and for identifying new investment opportunities. He reaffirmed Qatar Chamber’s commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at increasing trade exchange and encouraging strategic partnerships between Qatari and Pakistani companies.

He further described Pakistan as a strategic economic partner for Qatar, citing its large and dynamic market, skilled workforce, and wide-ranging investment opportunities. At the same time, he highlighted Qatar’s attractive investment climate, advanced infrastructure, and investor-friendly policies that align with the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030.

Al Obaidli emphasised the importance of expanding cooperation in several priority sectors, including technology, banking, logistics, manufacturing, and food security. He noted that collaboration in these areas could create long-term value for both economies and contribute to sustainable economic growth.

For his part, Zaki Aijaz said the establishment of the Joint Business Council represents a major milestone in enhancing economic cooperation between the Qatari and Pakistani private sectors. He praised the strong collaboration between FPCCI and Qatar Chamber, which paved the way for the activation of the Council and the launch of its activities.

Aijaz noted that Pakistan offers promising investment prospects in sectors such as agriculture, tourism, food security, infrastructure, logistics, manufacturing, and energy. He invited Qatari investors and companies to explore Pakistan’s growing market and benefit from the incentives and opportunities available for foreigninvestors.

He also underscored Pakistan’s commitment to facilitating Qatari investments and strengthening long-term business partnerships that can contribute to greater economicintegration between the two countries.

Meanwhile, Mehmood Arshad praised the longstanding economic and cultural ties between Pakistan and Qatar and stressed the vital role of the private sector in advancingbilateral cooperation.

He said the Joint Business Council would play a crucial role in fostering direct communication between businessmen and investors from both countries and in identifying viable partnership opportunities.

Arshad added that the Council would help create a structured mechanism for promoting trade exchange, facilitating joint ventures, and encouraging mutual investments that support shared economic interests and sustainable growth.

During the meeting, members of the Joint Business Council from both sides were formally introduced, while participants reviewed several potential areas of cooperation and discussed mechanisms to strengthen collaboration across diverse sectors.

The discussions reflected a shared determination to deepen economic engagement and unlock new opportunities for businesses in Qatar and Pakistan.