A high-level conference convened at the Governor House in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa brought together leading figures from business, government, and diplomacy to explore and advance the province’s trade potential with neighbouring countries and Central Asian Republics (CARs). The event marked a significant step towards deepening regional economic integration and unlocking new export opportunities for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Attended by representatives from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa-based Chambers of Commerce, trade associations, government officials, foreign diplomats, academia, and business leaders, the conference served as a dynamic platform for dialogue and strategy development on regional trade cooperation.
Prominent keynote addresses were delivered by Noman Bashir, Director of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), Syed Jawad Hussain Kazmi, Patron-in-Chief of the Khyber Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), and S.M. Tanveer, Patron-in-Chief of the United Business Group. These speakers highlighted Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s strategic position as a gateway for trade with neighbouring regions and underscored the province’s potential to become a leading participant in cross-border commerce.
High-ranking diplomats and trade officials from Central Asia, Iran, and Afghanistan contributed valuable insights on expanding bilateral economic ties. Participants included H.E. Kistafin Yerzhan, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Pakistan; H.E. Shafizoda Saidjon, Charge d’Affaires of Tajikistan; H.E. Ali Benafshe Khah, Consul General of Iran in Peshawar; H.E. Hafiz Mohib Ullah, Consul General of Afghanistan in Peshawar; and Bakhrom Yusupov, Economic and Trade Counsellor of Uzbekistan. These envoys outlined opportunities for enhanced trade collaboration and reaffirmed their countries’ commitment to strengthening links with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Governor Faisal Karim Kundi delivered a compelling speech emphasizing the province’s unique geographic and economic advantages, positioning it as a vital trade corridor between South and Central Asia. He called for accelerated efforts to bolster trade facilitation and infrastructure to capitalize on emerging regional opportunities.
Throughout the conference, participants highlighted the need for concrete measures to simplify cross-border trade, support export-oriented industries, and foster deeper integration with regional markets. The consensus reaffirmed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s potential to play a pivotal role in advancing Pakistan’s economic ties with neighbouring states and the broader Central Asian region.
