The Directorate General of Trade Organisations (DGTO) has initiated consultations with trade bodies across Pakistan to draft a modern regulatory framework for establishing Joint Chambers of Commerce and Industry (JCCIs) with partner countries. This move comes in line with directives from the Senate Standing Committee on Commerce, which highlighted the urgent need for reform during a meeting held on September 11, 2025.
In a formal communication addressed to the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and all licensed trade organizations, the DGTO stressed the importance of overhauling the existing regulatory setup. The committee had observed that the current system for licensing and renewing JCCIs suffers from bureaucratic obstacles, outdated procedures, and lack of clarity. These issues have led to delays and inefficiencies, weakening Pakistan’s capacity to strengthen international trade ties.
The DGTO noted that the Trade Organizations Act, 2013 (TOA 2013) does not explicitly provide for licensing foreign or joint chambers of commerce. Historically, the directorate has relied on discretionary exemption powers under Section 3(9) of the Act to approve these strategically important institutions. While this approach has allowed operations to continue, the absence of a dedicated legal provision has created persistent regulatory gaps. These gaps particularly affect the verification of new applicants and the monitoring of existing licensees.
To address these challenges, the DGTO has formally invited proposals from stakeholders to help design a robust and transparent framework. The proposed reforms are expected to streamline procedures, reduce ambiguities, and align Pakistan’s practices with successful international models, ultimately strengthening bilateral trade facilitation.
The consultation process will cover several key areas. Legislative reforms are a top priority, with calls for the inclusion of a new section or chapter within the TOA 2013 dedicated to JCCIs. This would define essential criteria such as minimum membership requirements, financial standing, and corporate structure of joint chambers. Procedural streamlining has also been emphasized, particularly the replacement of the existing No Objection Certificate (NOC) requirement with an embassy-based verification process. This would help ensure authenticity while minimizing delays, supported by fixed application timelines and designated government focal points.
The Senate committee also stressed the role of Pakistan’s foreign missions. Proposals will consider how Trade and Investment Officers (TIOs) abroad can be more actively engaged in verifying foreign partners and lobbying for the establishment of Pakistani chambers overseas. Additionally, performance-based governance will be introduced, requiring JCCIs to meet defined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for license renewals. These KPIs would assess the effectiveness of chambers in promoting trade, investment, and international business linkages.
Stakeholders have also been asked to review successful international models of bilateral chambers. Learning from global best practices is expected to help Pakistan build a regulatory system that meets global standards and enhances competitiveness.
Meanwhile, the FPCCI has written to its member chambers and associations nationwide, requesting consolidated feedback on the regulation of JCCIs. The organization emphasized that all proposals should specifically address legislative reforms, reciprocity mechanisms, the role of foreign missions, performance benchmarks, and international best practices.
This initiative marks a critical step in updating Pakistan’s trade organization framework, ensuring that its regulatory environment for joint chambers is both efficient and internationally credible. The outcome of this process could significantly improve Pakistan’s ability to strengthen global economic partnerships and expand market access for its businesses.
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