KARACHI (Special Correspondent) – The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) has officially called for the implementation of an ASEAN business visa sticker, the restoration of direct flights, and the acceleration of preferential trade agreements to boost economic ties during the Pakistan-ASEAN Business Roundtable held on 3 November 2026. The high-level event, themed “Navigating Our Future Together,” brought together regional diplomats and business leaders at the Federation House to address the current trade imbalance and foster regional integration.

Key Points

• The FPCCI has proposed an ASEAN business visa sticker to provide multiple-entry travel for eligible business members across member nations.
• Pakistan currently maintains a trade volume of approximately US$11-12 billion with ASEAN, with exports from Pakistan accounting for less than US$1.5 billion.
• The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) advocated for the restoration of direct flights between Karachi and major capitals including Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and Manila.
• A two-year Pakistan-ASEAN Business Cooperation Roadmap is set to be developed to institutionalize quarterly consultations between the FPCCI and the ASEAN Committee in Islamabad (ACI).

Strengthening Trade and Economic Integration

In his welcome address, Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, Senior Vice President of the FPCCI, underscored the massive economic potential of the ASEAN region, which represents a population of 680 million and a collective GDP surpassing US$4 trillion. Despite Pakistan’s long-standing status as a Sectoral Dialogue Partnership member since 1993, Magoon noted that bilateral trade remains heavily skewed. He urged immediate progress on reviewing existing agreements, including the Pakistan-Indonesia PTA and the Pakistan-Malaysia FTA, alongside new proposals for trade pacts with the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Hanif Gohar, Chairman of the FPCCI Committee on Diplomacy, emphasized the necessity of moving beyond traditional trade models. He argued that deeper integration requires joint ventures in agriculture, specifically corporate farming, as well as digital services and technology. Gohar’s proposal for a dedicated business visa mechanism aims to streamline travel for investors, a sentiment echoed by diplomats seeking to improve the current business environment through enhanced connectivity and direct flight networks.

Diplomatic and Private Sector Cooperation

H.E. Dr. Emmanuel R. Fernandez, Ambassador of the Philippines and Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Islamabad (ACI), expressed support for the FPCCI’s initiatives. He confirmed that the proposals regarding the business forum and travel facilitation would be formally communicated to respective ASEAN capitals. The session also featured insights from various representatives regarding potential cooperation in the US$7 trillion halal economy, IT development, and Islamic banking, sectors identified as high-priority for future growth.

Irfan Soomro, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting private-sector-led economic diplomacy. As the roundtable concluded, participants pledged to formalize a structure for quarterly meetings to ensure that dialogue leads to measurable increases in investment and trade. Bashir Jan Muhammad, Chairman of the Pakistan-Malaysia Business Council, further solidified this commitment by announcing a planned trade delegation to Malaysia scheduled for early 2027.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the proposed ASEAN Business Visa Sticker?

The ASEAN Business Visa Sticker is a proposed one-year, multiple-entry travel facilitation mechanism intended for eligible FPCCI members to promote easier movement and business engagement across participating ASEAN countries.

What is the primary goal of the Pakistan-ASEAN Business Roundtable?

The roundtable aims to bridge the current trade gap by institutionalizing quarterly meetings, developing a two-year cooperation roadmap, and pushing for faster trade agreement reviews between Pakistan and ASEAN member states.