Rawalpindi: Pakistan’s industrial and services sectors hold significant potential for driving regional growth, owing to the country’s strategic location, large population, and dynamic economy. Usman Shaukat, President of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (RCCI), at the Global SME Summit in Davos, declared that “Pakistan is open for business.”
Highlighting the country’s strategic location, Mr. Shaukat noted:
“Pakistan offers unique global connectivity at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East, providing vital access to the Arabian Sea, the Strait of Hormuz, and shorter sea routes for landlocked Central Asian nations and Western China.”
Addressing participants at the Networking Apéro, he underscored the strength of Pakistan’s SME sector: “From Rawalpindi’s pharmaceutical and IT clusters to Sialkot’s surgical and sports industries, and Gujrat’s fan and ceramic sectors, SMEs form the backbone of our economy.”
During his engagements, Mr. Shaukat presented Pakistan’s economic outlook and investment opportunities, highlighted the role of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and government initiatives to attract foreign direct investment (FDI). He also held constructive discussions with the Swiss and Arab Chambers of Commerce on deepening bilateral trade, business linkages and investment ties.
He expressed optimism about building sustained momentum in international collaborations:
“These meetings reaffirmed confidence in Pakistan’s investment climate and opened new avenues for partnerships.” Mr. Shaukat also extended gratitude to Pakistan’s diplomatic mission in Switzerland for their valuable support to the visiting delegation.
The Global SME Summit in Davos 3-5 September continues to provide a unique platform for dialogue, partnerships, and knowledge exchange. By bringing together stakeholders from across industries and regions, the Summit aims to drive innovation, foster resilience, and enhance global competitiveness in the SME sector.
