Strengthening the relationship between industry, innovation, investment and entrepreneurship is essential for Pakistan to achieve economic transformation and improve its long-term competitiveness in global markets, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Sardar Tahir Mehmood said on Wednesday. He made the remarks while addressing the soft opening and cake-cutting ceremony of GOPKZ Industry Connect at the Chamber House, where business representatives and members of the commercial community discussed the importance of stronger collaboration between enterprises, investors, innovators and institutions. Tahir Mehmood said collaborative platforms can play an important role in developing a competitive and innovation-driven economy by creating opportunities for businesses to connect, share ideas and identify areas for investment and industrial cooperation. He stressed that Pakistan’s economic progress requires stronger connections between different parts of the private sector and institutions supporting investment and enterprise development.
Tahir Mehmood said Pakistan’s private sector possesses the capability, resilience and entrepreneurial potential needed to compete in international markets, but businesses require a supportive environment that encourages investment and sustainable growth. According to the ICCI president, a business-friendly ecosystem can provide companies with the conditions required to expand their operations, develop new products and services and compete more effectively in international markets. He highlighted the role of GOPKZ Industry Connect in bringing together entrepreneurs, manufacturers, startups, investors and institutions under a single platform. The initiative is intended to allow participants to develop business partnerships, exchange ideas and explore opportunities for investment and industrial collaboration. By creating closer connections among these groups, the platform is expected to provide businesses with greater access to potential partners and investors while allowing entrepreneurs and manufacturers to present their capabilities and identify areas for cooperation.
The ICCI president also emphasised the importance of innovation, technology and public-private partnerships in supporting sustainable economic growth. He said economies that successfully combine technological development with strong cooperation between government and private-sector stakeholders are better positioned to build competitive and resilient economic systems. For Pakistan, greater adoption of innovation and technology across industries could provide businesses with opportunities to improve productivity, develop new commercial activities and access international markets. Tahir Mehmood reiterated that the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry would continue working to strengthen business relationships between Pakistan and international markets. He said the chamber remains committed to promoting investment, supporting entrepreneurship, encouraging sustainable industrial development and expanding global business linkages for Pakistani businesses.
Speaking at the event, GOPKZ Group Executive Vice President Muhammad Shahroz Habib said GOPKZ Industry Connect is intended to establish an integrated ecosystem connecting businesses, innovators, investors and policymakers. He said the platform has been designed to accelerate Pakistan’s economic development by creating an environment where different stakeholders can interact and identify opportunities for cooperation. According to Habib, GOPKZ Industry Connect will also provide a platform for showcasing Pakistan’s industrial potential, promoting innovation and facilitating partnerships capable of generating long-term economic value. The initiative therefore aims to connect established businesses with emerging enterprises, investors and innovators while creating opportunities for cooperation across different areas of the economy. Such connections can help businesses identify investment opportunities, explore industrial partnerships and develop relationships that support longer-term commercial activity.
ICCI Senior Vice President Tahir Ayub said the chamber continues to focus on attracting investment, strengthening international partnerships and encouraging innovation while providing platforms that can help businesses expand in an increasingly interconnected global economy. ICCI Vice President Mohammad Irfan Chaudhry, executive members, former senior vice presidents, senior members and representatives of the business community also attended the ceremony. The participation of representatives from different sections of the business community reflected the broader interest in creating platforms that connect industry, investment and entrepreneurship. The launch of GOPKZ Industry Connect adds another initiative focused on bringing these stakeholders closer together, with its organisers seeking to promote Pakistan’s industrial capabilities and create partnerships that can contribute to future economic activity. The event also reinforced the view that stronger cooperation among businesses, investors, innovators and institutions can support the development of a more connected and competitive economic ecosystem in Pakistan.
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