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The Consul General of Iraq in Karachi, Maher Mjhid Jejan, reaffirmed his commitment to building strong Pakistan-Iraq economic ties during his visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI).
He said the Iraqi Consulate in Karachi, reopened after 23 years, would act as a bridge between the business communities of both nations.
The Consul General highlighted the consulate’s 24/7 availability to support local businesses interested in exploring Iraq’s expanding market.
He emphasized the importance of closer ties in trade, investment, and tourism, and encouraged business leaders to visit Iraq and witness the peaceful development underway.
He expressed readiness to work closely with KCCI, even proposing ten meetings a month if needed. A joint working group will be formed to identify trade and investment opportunities between Iraq and Pakistan.
Jejan noted that Iraq has implemented new investment-friendly laws to attract international investors. These policies will soon be shared with KCCI to help Pakistani businesses explore opportunities in Iraq’s growing economy.
He assured that business attestation services have now started at the Karachi Consulate. Though visa services have not yet begun at the consulate, a dedicated visa team is expected to start operations within a month. For now, visas are being issued quickly from Islamabad, and e-visas are also available online.
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Senior Vice President KCCI Zia ul Arfeen shared that bilateral trade remains low, with exports to Iraq at $54.29 million and imports at $145.46 million in FY24. He stressed the need to simplify customs and expand trade sectors like IT, energy, textiles, and pharmaceuticals.
The Iraqi envoy also suggested launching a sea link between Basra and Karachi and even proposed a Basra-Gwadar oil pipeline to boost connectivity. Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in tourism and cultural exchange to further strengthen bilateral ties.
