A delegation from the Council of Economic and Energy Journalists (CEEJ) visited the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) to discuss the challenges facing the country’s economic and political landscape.

During the visit, they addressed the important issue of creating new provinces in Pakistan and the need for decentralizing administrative powers to enhance governance. Notable attendees included Khalid Farooq Qazi, Senior Vice President of RCCI; Vice President Fahad Barlas; Khurshid Barlas, Founder and Chairman of the Pakistan Association of Exhibition Industry (PAEI); Raja Kamran, President of CEEJ; Kashif Muneer, Secretary of CEEJ; along with several senior journalists and business leaders from Karachi.

Usman Shaukat, President of RCCI, discussed ongoing negotiations for visa-on-arrival agreements between Pakistan and Bangladesh. He advocated for granting Bangladesh Most Favored Nation (MFN) status to strengthen economic ties between the two countries. He also mentioned recent successful discussions regarding joint ventures in the pharmaceutical sector and emphasized the importance of cross-border partnerships.

RCCI is actively engaging with the government to reduce the cost of doing business and has seen several of its budget proposals accepted.

Khurshid Barlas highlighted the cultural ties between Bangladesh and Pakistan, announcing a 200-member business delegation that will travel to Bangladesh for a “Made in Pakistan” exhibition on September 23. Additionally, Barlas revealed plans for an Investment Conference in Karachi on November 22-23 and a Youth Tourism Conference, both aimed at enhancing investor confidence through regional cooperation within the SAARC framework.