Chamber seeks economic pact with Africa

Sardar Tahir Mehmood, president of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has urged Pakistan to recast its ties with Africa, moving them from diplomacy toward a wider economic alliance. Speaking as guest of honour at the Pakistan-Africa Economic Council conclave, he pointed to trade, investment, joint ventures, technology sharing and job creation as the priority areas. According to The Express Tribune, the comments came in a release issued on Saturday.

He argued that Africa, home to 54 nations, large consumer markets, abundant resources and a young population, has become a current market rather than a future one. Pakistan, he said, enjoys an edge across pharmaceuticals, textiles, surgical and sports goods, rice, engineering products, information technology and healthcare. He cautioned, however, that selling finished products should not be the limit of the ambition, with co-production alongside African partners the larger goal.

He added that chambers and business councils could help convert diplomatic goodwill into measurable economic results, since governments can open the doors and diplomats make the connections. Business communities, in his view, must then pass through those doors and secure contracts, investments and jobs. Such partnerships, he said, could build durable commercial ties, stronger supply chains and employment in both Pakistan and African countries.