Fostering Trade Ventures Beyond Barriers

The Pakistan Business Council, Dubai utilises digital platforms to nurture business relationships between potential investors and opportunities between the UAE and Pakistan

There continues to be enormous business potential between Pakistan and the UAE, and despite the current pandemic that has slowed down the commercial sector, Muhammad Iqbal Dawood, President of the Pakistan Business Council, Dubai is confident that bilateral trade and investments will soon regain its glory. The Pakistani Business Council, Dubai is a platform dedicated to connecting businessmen between the two countries with information, resources and networking opportunities.

"The exchange of business in the last five months has been slow due to the pandemic and gatherings are temporarily suspended. There was not much growth in terms of business exchange, but relationship-wise, the UAE and Pakistan are doing very good. I am optimistic that this will grow in the coming months," said Dawood.

The Pakistan Business Council, Dubai had turned to digital platforms during this time to keep potential investors and businessmen well-connected. Among online conferences was a webinar, hosted on August 5, dedicated to the Future of Business (Post-Covid), which aimed to highlight new challenges and inspire business minds with future-ready solutions.

"The Pakistan Business Council, Dubai exists to promote trade relations between Pakistan and UAE, and equip resident Pakistani businessmen with all the resources and details in order to help him conduct business. We also exclusively connect them to the right authorising bodies, such as Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and streamline processes for smooth operations," he said.

Dawood himself has also been active in a number of webinars, in order to address current concerns and provide assistance on behalf of the Pakistan Business Council, Dubai. He had recently appeared as a speaker at an upcoming webinar on Strategic Intelligent Leadership hosted on August 12.

The transition to digital modes of providing information and resources has proven successful, said Dawood, with the establishment of mutual interests, direct contacts and references, which is why he is confident that Pakistan exports, trade and investments are on a slow but sure growth curve.

With many businesses, especially the food and beverage sector, affected by the Covid lockdown, the Council has reached out to UAE government authorities to ease the pressure through convenient payment plans, "absorb the shock" on Pakistani operations and help sustain businesses, according to Dawood.

"The UAE Government has been very supportive and people are understanding," he added.

Business aside, the Pakistan Business Council, Dubai has been proactive in repratriating expat Pakistanis that were affected as a result of the pandemic. "We have been helping many destitute Pakistanis, who were jobless and homeless in the UAE as due to Covid pandemic, return home. We have been working very hard alongside the Consulate of Pakistan in Dubai to assist them as much as possible and send them back. As for Pakistanis who want to settle here from Pakistan, we continue to provide all types of information in support of their well-being," he added.

Looking ahead, Dawood shared that a visit to Pakistan from a tourism perspective for investors is underway in the coming months once things return to normal, and this is being held in collaboration with the Pakistan Chambers of Commerce alongside invitations extended by various city chambers.

To date, the Pakistan Business Council, Dubai features a group of 800 business houses and 3,000 business units in the UAE, all of whom hail from Pakistan, are well-established in Dubai, UAE, and operational as a registered entity with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce.

Pakistan has set itself on the path of progress and we, Pakistanis, are very optimistic about this. The new government is doing very well and investment opportunities are on the rise. I am very confident about the business and opportunities to invest in Pakistan. The UAE, and Dubai, in particular, is also a land of opportunities with its beautiful infrastructure and very cooperative administration. We are optimistic and confident to see growth in various sectors - from food-related processing and foodstuff to textiles. We, at the Pakistan Business Council, Dubai are working on it and are confident that we will do well in the future.

Muhammad Iqbal Dawood

President

Pakistan Business Council Dubai

- Organise exhibitions in Dubai to promote Pakistani products is another salient feature. At PBC Dubai exhibit, chamber members can participate and display their products.