The first meeting of the FPCCI Pakistan–Romania Business Council (PRoBC) convened at the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) Regional Office in Lahore, chaired by Khawaja Faiq Kaleem, Chairman of the Council. Attendees included Ilyas Mehmood Nizami, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Romania; Tariq Mehmood Jadoon, Vice President of FPCCI; and members from various business sectors.
Strategic Gateway to Europe
In his welcome address, Khawaja Faiq Kaleem underscored Romania’s strategic role as a gateway to European markets and highlighted significant opportunities for Pakistani exporters. He noted that deeper engagement with Romania could unlock future prospects stemming from the reconstruction of Ukraine. Kaleem identified key sectors with strong export potential, including textiles, leather goods, sports products, IT services, education, rice, cookware, cutlery, printing machinery, engineering products, and Himalayan pink salt.
Commitment to Bilateral Trade
FPCCI Vice President Tariq Mehmood Jadoon reaffirmed the organization’s dedication to exploring new avenues for bilateral trade and investment. He described Romania as a vital access point to the European market and highlighted export potential in textiles, agricultural products, pharmaceuticals, sports goods, surgical instruments, renewable energy solutions, logistics, and engineering products.
Ambassador’s Insights
Ambassador Ilyas Mehmood Nizami informed participants that Romania offers a promising market due to its sizable economy and purchasing power. He stressed the importance of meeting European certification and quality standards to boost Pakistani exports. The ambassador noted that current bilateral trade ranges between USD 100–150 million, which can be significantly expanded through focused strategies and stronger business-to-business engagement.
Areas of Cooperation
The meeting explored various cooperation avenues, including student and professional exchange programs in education and IT, joint ventures, technology transfer, establishing a display center for Pakistani products in Romania, and enhanced B2B networking between businesses of both countries.
New Appointment
The Council approved the appointment of Noman Rashid Mir as Director of the Pakistan–Romania Business Council (PRoBC). Participants expressed confidence that his addition would strengthen trade and investment relations between the two nations.
Future Delegation
Attendees unanimously agreed to organize a high-profile FPCCI business delegation to Romania in September 2026 to further solidify commercial ties and explore investment opportunities. The meeting concluded with a collective commitment to expand trade, investment, and economic cooperation, creating new opportunities for businesses in both countries.
