Pakistan Business Council Dubai delegation calls on top envoy in UAE
Ambassador Tirmizi assures full support to enhance bilateral trade and investment
ABU DHABI: A delegation from the newly elected Board of Directors of the Pakistan Business Council (PBC) Dubai, led by Chairman Shabbir Merchant, has met with Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi at the Embassy of Pakistan in the UAE capital.
During the meeting, the delegation outlined their vision for enhancing business-to-business relations between Pakistan and the UAE. They discussed plans to strengthen economic ties and called on the Embassy's support to help bring their strategies to fruition.
Ambassador Tirmizi congratulated the new leadership and assured them of the Embassy’s unwavering commitment to advancing the economic relationship between the two nations.
New PBC leadership
Shabbir Merchant's election as the new Chairman of PBC in January marks a pivotal moment in the Council’s leadership. His appointment aims to revitalise efforts to foster stronger business and cultural exchanges between Pakistan and the UAE. The announcement took place at a grand ceremony at the Pakistan Association Dubai, where Consul General Hussain Muhammad was the Chief Guest. Key business leaders, media personalities, and members of the Pakistani diaspora were present.
The newly elected Board of Directors includes Noor Karim Afridi, Iftikhar Ali Tatlah, Muhammed Saleem Zakria, and Kamran Ahmed Riaz.
A new era for PBC
In his address, Consul General Hussain Muhammad praised the outgoing board's efforts and expressed confidence in the new leadership's ability to build on this success. He highlighted the PBC’s crucial role as a platform for enhancing trade, investment, and collaboration between the two countries. Muhammad urged the new leadership to continue exploring innovative strategies to reinforce these bilateral ties.
In his inaugural speech, Merchant laid out an ambitious roadmap for the Council. He stressed the importance of embracing contemporary economic trends to ensure sustainable growth. Merchant’s first initiative as Chairman was to launch a membership expansion drive aimed at diversifying PBC’s base and encouraging more members of the Pakistani community to join the Council. This initiative aligns with his vision to connect Pakistan's business community with global markets.
Bilateral trade milestone
Trade between Pakistan and the UAE reached over $10 billion in 2023, underscoring the deepening economic partnership. The UAE remains one of Pakistan’s most important trading partners, and opportunities for cooperation are growing across diverse sectors including technology, agriculture, and real estate.
Under Merchant's leadership, the PBC intends to not only boost economic cooperation but also promote cultural and social initiatives. The Council plans to host events to celebrate shared heritage and foster greater mutual understanding between the two nations.