The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) today called for stronger economic cooperation, improved banking connectivity and closer institutional engagement among member states of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, saying deeper regional integration could unlock significant trade and investment opportunities.
FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh said the D-8 bloc possessed substantial economic potential and that enhanced collaboration among its members would help expand regional trade, attract investment and support sustainable economic growth. He stressed the importance of reinforcing institutional ties to advance shared economic objectives.
His remarks followed a meeting in Istanbul between FPCCI Vice President Quratul Ain and D-8 Secretary General Ambassador Sohail Mahmood at the D-8 Secretariat, where the two sides reviewed ways to strengthen Pakistan’s engagement with D-8 member countries.
According to FPCCI, the discussions focused on identifying new avenues for bilateral and multilateral trade, investment and economic cooperation. The meeting also underscored the need to improve banking connectivity across D-8 countries to facilitate financial transactions, remove trade bottlenecks and encourage stronger business-to-business partnerships.
Quratul Ain reaffirmed FPCCI’s commitment to expanding economic cooperation with D-8 member states, saying the federation aimed to create greater business opportunities for Pakistani companies through enhanced regional collaboration. She also highlighted the importance of closer coordination between FPCCI, the D-8 Secretariat and the chambers of commerce of member countries.
Ambassador Sohail Mahmood praised FPCCI’s efforts to promote regional economic cooperation and said the D-8 Secretariat remained committed to working closely with the private sector to advance the organization’s objectives and deepen economic integration among member states.
FPCCI said it would continue to support economic diplomacy by maintaining close engagement with the D-8 Secretariat and member chambers to strengthen trade and investment ties across the bloc.
As part of that initiative, FPCCI will hold an interactive session of its National Committee on D-8 Chamber of Commerce and Industry on July 23, 2026, at Federation House in Karachi. Diplomats from the embassies and consulates of D-8 member countries, business leaders and committee members are expected to discuss measures aimed at promoting trade, investment, banking connectivity and greater private-sector collaboration within the organization.