Pakistan Partners With ICCD To Expand Global Halal Export Footprint.
✧ GENERATE BRIEFING +
Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb held a meeting with Shaikh Yousef Hassan Khalawi, Secretary-General of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development (ICCD), to discuss strategies for expanding Pakistan's share in the global halal economy. The dialogue focused on identifying high-value products across key sectors—including halal food, fashion, tourism, services, and consumer goods—and shifting toward targeted, commercially viable offerings. To facilitate market entry, the initiative aims to leverage ICCD's international networks across OIC and non-OIC countries, strengthen Pakistan's Islamic finance ecosystem, and establish stronger global private-sector partnerships. The meeting was also attended by Al Baraka Bank Pakistan CEO Muhammad Atif Hanif and ICCD Director of International Relations Aalia Jaffar.
Pakistan is seeking to expand its presence in the global halal economy by identifying specific products, sectors, and international markets where local businesses can compete, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Friday.
Aurangzeb made the remarks during a meeting with Shaikh Yousef Hassan Khalawi, Secretary-General of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development (ICCD), where the two sides discussed economic cooperation, halal markets, Islamic finance, and private-sector opportunities. He was accompanied by Al Baraka Bank Pakistan CEO Muhammad Atif Hanif and ICCD Director of International Relations Aalia Jaffar.
The meeting focused on Pakistan’s potential in several segments of the global halal economy, including halal food, fashion, tourism, services, and consumer products.
Aurangzeb stressed that Pakistan needs to move beyond a broad focus on the halal economy and identify specific products and markets where Pakistani companies can develop commercially viable offerings and expand exports.
He also highlighted the importance of strengthening connections between Pakistan’s business community and international business networks. The ICCD’s global outreach could help Pakistani companies establish links with businesses and institutional partners in both OIC and non-OIC countries.
Khalawi briefed the finance minister on the ICCD’s international activities and its efforts to connect Muslim business communities with private-sector and institutional partners worldwide.
The participants also discussed strengthening Pakistan’s Islamic finance ecosystem and increasing cooperation with international platforms working in Islamic economics and finance.
The ICCD shared international experiences in halal business development, sustainable tourism, and Islamic economic cooperation, while emphasising the need to understand international market demand and develop sector-specific business opportunities.
Aurangzeb welcomed the chamber’s engagement with Pakistan and called for continued interaction with the private sector to identify practical opportunities for trade and investment.
The initiative comes as Pakistan seeks to diversify its export markets and increase its share of the rapidly expanding global halal economy through stronger international business linkages.
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