ISLAMABAD
Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, Patron-in-Chief of the Azerbaijan–Pakistan Joint Chamber of Commerce & Industry (APJCCI), along with Mr. Zafar Bakhtawari, Secretary General United Business Group (UBG) and Chairman APJCCI, called on Mr. Abdul Salam Shah, newly appointed Director General, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), Islamabad, and congratulated him on assuming his new responsibilities.
Mr. Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari said that Azerbaijan is an emerging and promising market for Pakistani exporters, and there is a need to convert the excellent diplomatic relations between the two countries into meaningful trade and investment outcomes.He proposed that APJCCI and TDAP may jointly organize a Pakistan Single Country Exhibition or Made in Pakistan Expo in Baku to showcase Pakistani products and services.
He said that such an exhibition could provide a practical platform for Pakistani exporters to explore business opportunities in Azerbaijan and connect directly with buyers, distributors, and relevant business organizations. Mr. Ahsan informed to the Director General TDAP that APJCCI has already organized two business delegations to Azerbaijan, which were self-sponsored by the private sector. He requested TDAP’s support for the upcoming business delegation to Azerbaijan, adding that official facilitation would encourage greater participation from serious exporters and investors.
He further emphasized that Pakistani businessmen are keen to learn more about trade opportunities in Azerbaijan. In this regard, he proposed that a Commercial Counsellor or Trade Officer may be appointed in Azerbaijan at the earliest to provide market intelligence, trade data, regulatory guidance, and business matchmaking support to Pakistani companies.
He stated that high-value and export-oriented products should be considered for inclusion in the Pakistan–Azerbaijan Preferential Trade Agreement framework, as this would create greater opportunities for Pakistani exporters and help increase bilateral trade volume.
