The head of the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) today issued a compelling call for Karachi’s business community to aggressively pursue burgeoning export opportunities in Central Asia, following Pakistan’s landmark success in gaining market access for meat products in Azerbaijan.
Mohammad Ikram Rajput, President of KATI, lauded the recent trade development as a significant positive step for the nation’s commercial and industrial expansion. He described the achievement, spearheaded by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), as a gateway that opens new avenues for Pakistani exporters and manufacturers.
This milestone is anticipated to benefit more than just the meat sector. Rajput emphasized that it creates promising prospects for other key industries, including food processing, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and engineering. He noted that while industries in Karachi are already producing world-class products, enhanced trade diplomacy at the governmental level is crucial for securing effective market access.
The KATI President highlighted that nations such as Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan represent vast, untapped potential for Pakistani goods. There is a growing demand in these regions for halal food items, textiles, and various industrial products. To leverage this, he urged the government to organize regular business-to-business (B2B) delegations to these countries to forge direct commercial linkages.
In a move to support local enterprise, Rajput added that KATI is working in close coordination with TDAP and the Ministry of Commerce. The association aims to facilitate Karachi’s industrial exporters by providing essential guidance on target markets, logistics, and intricate trade regulations. He stressed that prioritizing regional trade within Pakistan”s export policy is vital for achieving sustainable economic growth.
Expressing a sense of optimism, Rajput concluded that a coordinated strategy, developed through consultation with all stakeholders, could significantly strengthen Pakistan”s commercial presence and establish it as a prominent player in the Central Asian region in the coming years.