**Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Hosts Major Conference to Boost Regional Trade Links**
A high-profile conference held at the Governor House in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa brought together key government officials, diplomats from Central Asian nations, leaders of local chambers of commerce, trade associations, academia, and top business personalities to emphasize the province’s crucial role in enhancing regional trade and economic integration.
The event featured keynote speeches from prominent trade figures, including Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) Director Noman Bashir, Syed Jawad Hussain Kazmi (Patron-in-Chief, Khyber Chamber of Commerce and Industry), and S.M. Tanveer (Patron-in-Chief, United Business Group). Speakers highlighted Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s strategic geographic position and the importance of leveraging this advantage for expanded trade with neighboring countries and Central Asian Republics (CARs).
Foreign diplomats played a central role in the discussions, offering their perspectives on how to deepen commercial ties. Among the distinguished guests were H.E Kistafin Yerzhan, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Pakistan; H.E Shafizoda Saidjon, Charge d’Affaires of Tajikistan; H.E Ali Benafshe Khah, Consul General of Iran in Peshawar; H.E Hafiz Mohib Ullah, Consul General of Afghanistan in Peshawar; and Bakhrom Yusupov, Economic and Trade Counsellor of Uzbekistan. These representatives provided valuable insights into new opportunities for bilateral trade and cooperation.
The Honourable Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi, delivered a compelling address, stressing the province’s distinctive geographic and economic potential as a critical trade corridor linking Pakistan with Central Asia and neighboring states. He urged greater efforts to facilitate trade, enhance cross-border connectivity, and fully exploit the province’s export capabilities.
The conference concluded with a strong consensus on the need for improved trade facilitation, greater regional integration, and coordinated efforts to unlock Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s untapped export potential for the benefit of the entire region.
