Pakistan business leaders urge structural reforms and regional trade expansion

Business leaders in Pakistan are advocating for structural reforms and expanded regional trade to bolster the national economy. Leadership from the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) expressed confidence in the country’s economic potential, citing a projected 3.7% GDP growth for FY2025-26 and an increase in overseas remittances, which rose from $34.7 billion in 2024 to $40.2 billion in 2025.

Simultaneously, Faheem-ur-Rehman Saigol, Chairman of the Pakistan Industrial and Traders Associations Front (PIAF) and President of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), highlighted the progress toward a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Pakistan and Iran. While the goal is to increase bilateral trade to $10 billion annually, Saigol emphasized that success depends on practical reforms, including efficient customs procedures, reliable transportation, and transparent payment mechanisms, rather than just formal agreements.

Both groups stressed the importance of involving the private sector in economic policy-making to ensure that trade agreements and macroeconomic stability translate into tangible commercial opportunities and export-led growth.