Pakistan ambassador approves amalgamation of Pakistan Business Forum Doha with Pakistan Business Council

Pakistan ambassador Dr Muhemmed Aejaz has approved the amalgamation of Pakistan Business Forum Doha (PBFD) with Pakistan Business Council (PBC), which is aimed at fostering stronger economic ties between Pakistan and Qatar.
This marked a significant step forward, and credit was duly extended to Dr Javaid Sheikh, chairman, Pakistan Business Council Qatar (PBCQ) and Fawad Rana, president, PBFD for their pivotal roles in making this gathering possible.
The ambassador acknowledged that the Pakistani business community in Qatar has long been a pillar of strength boasting a deep understanding of Qatar's economic and trade dynamics.
It was evident during the meeting that these business community members are well-equipped to contribute positively to the evolving landscape, he added.
Dr Sheikh expressed his gratitude to the ambassador and his foresight in bringing PBFD and PBCQ onto a common platform, sharing a unified vision for future endeavours.
Rana delivered an insightful presentation outlining the path to enhancing bilateral economic relations between Qatar and Pakistan. This path would be characterised by collaboration, innovation, sustainability, and ethical practices, all with a heavy reliance on the role of Ambassador.
It was unanimously agreed that Dr Sheikh would continue to serve as chairman in a similar capacity. All members of PBFD would automatically become members of the Board of Directors of the Pak Business Council Qatar, with the president elected by the Board for a two-year term.
To streamline operations, eight committees were formed, each led by a vice president and comprising associate members and potentially the children of existing members, recognising the importance of preparing for the future.
Advisors for each committee, as well as the Embassy’s representative, were proposed to join each committee.
The participants acknowledged the positive initiative by the embassy, emphasising the importance of collective action towards common goals.
The vast opportunities presented in the oil and gas sector, worth $10bn were highlighted. It was emphasized that Pakistani companies were well-positioned to secure this business.
Participants underlined the significance of economic strength and the potential of Pakistan's IT sector, currently at 3 to 4%, with the aim of expanding further. They also stressed the importance of practical-oriented policies and the role of government support in fostering business growth.
The importance of giving back to their country was highlighted for which initiatives like the Pakistan Welfare Forum and PBFD have been taken in the past with excellent results especially increasing Pakistan's exports to Qatar.
The Pakistan ambassador summed up the meeting as a significant achievement, noting the sincere efforts put forth by all involved.
He highlighted the importance of utilising the government's available resources for collective growth and the need for frequent interaction to bridge any gaps.
The formal approval of the merger “marked a historic moment”, and the newly established structure aligns well with Qatar National Vision 2030, and further meetings with the heads of the committees of PBC were planned especially in the backdrop of Expo 2023 and an IT Conference, along with cultural events at the Expo 2023 Doha.
The introduction of Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) in Pakistan, a concept in which the Government of Qatar has contributed significantly, was also shared by the ambassador to the PBC members, which can become a potential economic stabiliser. Qatar recently approved multiple projects to attract investments from friendly countries, under the umbrella of the council, in key sectors like agriculture, livestock, mining, minerals, information technology and energy.