Doha, 18 May 2026 (Qatar Chamber)

The Qatar–Pakistan Joint Business Council held its inaugural session on Monday, 18 May, via video conference, bringing together senior representatives from both countries to strengthen economic and commercial cooperation.

The session was attended by Mohamed bin Ahmed Al-Obaidli, Board Member of Qatar Chamber and Chairman of the Qatari side of the Council; Zaki Aijaz, Vice President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI); and Mehmood Arshad, Chairman of the Pakistan Chapter of the Qatar–Pakistan Joint Business Council.

The Commercial Attaché at the Embassy of Pakistan in the State of Qatar was also present at the meeting.

In his remarks, Al-Obaidli highlighted the steadily growing relations between Qatar and Pakistan, supported by high-level visits and agreements across various sectors. He noted that bilateral trade reached QAR 11.8 billion in 2025, reflecting strong economic ties.

He emphasized that the Council serves as a key platform to explore new investment opportunities and strengthen private-sector partnerships, reaffirming Qatar Chamber’s commitment to supporting enhanced trade and investment cooperation.

He also underscored Pakistan’s role as a strategic economic partner, with its dynamic market, skilled workforce, and diverse investment opportunities, while highlighting Qatar’s attractive investment environment aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030.

Al-Obaidli stressed the importance of cooperation in a number of important economic sectors such as technology, banking and food security, which provide a qualitative addition to both parties.

For his part, Zaki Aijaz, Vice President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), said that the Joint Business Council constitutes an important platform for enhancing cooperation between the Pakistani and Qatari business communities.

He praised the ongoing cooperation between the Federation of Pakistan Chambers and Qatar Chamber, which led to the activation of the Council.

He noted that Pakistan offers promising investment opportunities in sectors such as agriculture, food security, tourism, logistics, manufacturing, and infrastructure, calling on Qatari investors to explore these opportunities and invest in Pakistan, which welcomes Qatari investments.

In turn, Mehmood Arshad, Chairman of the Pakistani Chapter of the Business Council, praised the strong economic ties between Pakistan and Qatar, stressing the important role of the private sector in expanding bilateral cooperation.

He noted that the Business Council will enhance communication between businessmen from both sides and help explore investment and partnership opportunities that support greater trade exchange and mutual economic benefits.

During the meeting, members of the Council from both sides were introduced, and potential areas of cooperation across various sectors were reviewed.