A 13-member Chinese business delegation, led by Chairman Pakistan-China Business Forum Ejaz Sheikh, visited the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) on Wednesday. The delegation was warmly welcomed by ICCI President Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, former presidents, executive members, and prominent business leaders. During the visit, the Chinese delegation expressed strong interest in availing business opportunities in Pakistan, aiming to fortify bilateral business-to-business relations and exploring new avenues for cooperation.

During the meeting, the Chinese delegation brought to the attention of ICCI President Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari the challenges they face while operating in Pakistan. Specifically, they highlighted the requirement to stay in five-star hotels, which can be cost-prohibitive for many Chinese business travelers. Additionally, they expressed concerns about the mandatory use of bulletproof vehicles for transportation, citing its impracticality for every Chinese businessman visiting Pakistan. The delegation sought ICCI’s support in addressing these issues which are proving hurdles in carrying out businesses in Pakistan.

ICCI President Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari warmly thanked the Chinese delegation for their steadfast dedication to strengthening business-to-business ties between Pakistan and China. He assured the delegation that the ICCI would promptly bring the highlighted issues to the attention of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, the Interior Minister, and all relevant authorities to ensure swift resolution and facilitate ease of doing business in Pakistan Furthermore, President Bakhtawari warmly invited the Chinese business community to consider the ICCI as their home, welcoming them to visit and explore opportunities at their leisure."

"Nasir Qureshi, Council Member of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, underscored the vast business and investment potential of Pakistan, emphasizing the exceptional relations between Pakistan and China. He expressed the enthusiasm of the Pakistani people to further strengthen this bilateral relationship, taking it to unprecedented heights. Additionally, Qureshi assured the visiting Chinese delegation that their concerns, primarily related to security, would promptly be brought to the attention of the relevant authorities at the highest level, ensuring a secure and conducive environment for Chinese investors and businessmen in Pakistan.

The former President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Secretary General United Business Group (FPCCI, UBG) emphasized the remarkable strength of Pakistan-China ties, reassuring the Chinese delegation that the ICCI would take concrete steps to address their concerns. He said that an ICCI delegation will meet the Interior Minister, aiming to apprise him of the challenges faced by Chinese businesses and collaborate on finding effective solutions to enhance the ease of doing business in Pakistan.

Tariq Sadiq, former President ICCI, praised China's pivotal role in Pakistan's development, highlighting the need for Chinese investors to prioritize SMEs development and technology transfer. By doing so, he emphasized, Chinese businesses can catalyze meaningful growth, strengthen B2B ties, and cultivate a more balanced and prosperous partnership between Pakistan and China.

Ejaz Sheikh, Chairman of the Pakistan-China Business Forum, expressed his sincere appreciation to President Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari and the ICCI team for their exceptional hospitality and warm welcome. He also welcomed the ICCI's commitment to providing comprehensive support and cooperation to Chinese businesses in Pakistan, recognizing their efforts to create a favorable environment for mutual economic growth and cooperation.

Those present on the occasion include Khalid Mehmood Chaudhry Ameer Hamza, Saif ur Rehman, Rizwan Cheenna, Waseem Chaudhry, Malik Bashir Awan, Zahid Qureshi, Nasir Chaudhry, Raja Fayyaz , Malik Mohsin Khalid and other.