Latest news with #Jejan
Express Tribune
16-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Iraqi consulate reopens after 23 years
Listen to article Consul General of Iraq in Karachi, Maher Mjhid Jejan, has expressed the Iraqi Consulate's strong commitment to acting as a bridge between the business communities of Iraq and Pakistan, with a focus on promoting bilateral trade, investment, and tourism. Speaking at a meeting during his visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), the envoy said the reopening of the Iraqi Consulate in Karachi after 23 years would help strengthen deep-rooted Islamic and cultural relations, in addition to boosting cooperation in trade and tourism. Jejan assured that the Consulate is available 24/7 to assist and facilitate the business community in Karachi. "We can form a joint working group to identify areas of trade and investment cooperation between the two countries," he proposed, underscoring that the Consulate would maintain regular contact with KCCI. He said Iraq is undergoing rapid development and offers immense potential for trade and investment. He encouraged Pakistani businessmen to visit Iraq and witness the peaceful and stable environment there, discarding misconceptions about security. He added that people can now travel freely across Iraq. The consul general highlighted that Iraq has introduced new investment laws aimed at attracting foreign investors. These laws will be shared with KCCI to help Pakistani businesses explore opportunities. He acknowledged the high quality of Pakistani products and expressed hope that exporters and investors would engage more with the Iraqi market. He also suggested establishing a sea-link between Basra and Karachi to improve logistics and bring both business communities closer. Jejan announced that business attestation services have commenced at the Iraqi Consulate in Karachi. He added that visa operations are expected to start within a month, once a dedicated visa team arrives from Iraq. In the meantime, business visa applications can be processed through the Iraqi Embassy in Islamabad or online via the electronic visa (e-visa) facility, allowing for easier access for Pakistani nationals.
Express Tribune
16-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Iraq proposes Karachi-Basra sea link to boost trade with Pakistan
In this handout photo taken and released by the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry on April 16, 2025, Iraq's Consul General Maher Mjhid Jejan (4L) receives a souvenir from officials during his visit to the KCCI office in Karachi. Photo: Handout/KCCI Listen to article Iraq has proposed establishing a maritime link between its southern port city of Basra and Pakistan's commercial hub, Karachi, as part of a broader effort to strengthen trade and logistics between the two nations, the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) announced on Wednesday. The proposal was put forward by Iraq's Consul General, Maher Mjhid Jejan, during a visit to the KCCI office, where he met with senior representatives to discuss ways of enhancing bilateral business ties. 'A sea link between Basra and Karachi could play a key role in bringing the business communities of both countries closer together,' the KCCI said in an official statement. 'This connection could improve logistics and strengthen trade routes.' The proposal comes at a time when Pakistan and Iraq have witnessed a notable uptick in bilateral engagement, particularly at the ministerial level. In recent years, the two countries have initiated dialogues on enhancing cooperation in defense, counterterrorism, intelligence-sharing, and counternarcotics. Pakistan, facing economic headwinds, has ramped up efforts to deepen trade and investment ties with regional allies. The government is actively promoting partnerships in key sectors as part of its strategy to attract foreign investment and boost sustainable economic growth. Jejan briefed KCCI officials on Iraq's newly introduced investment laws, specifically designed to attract foreign investors. He assured the Chamber that these legislative changes would be shared with Pakistani stakeholders to help them better understand and leverage the emerging opportunities in Iraq. Recognizing the quality of Pakistani exports, the Iraqi diplomat encouraged greater participation from Pakistani exporters and investors in his country's growing market. He noted that Iraq is experiencing rapid development and offers 'immense potential' for trade and investment, inviting Pakistani business leaders to visit Iraq and witness the 'peaceful and stable environment' firsthand. During the meeting, KCCI Senior Vice President Zia ul Arfeen shared trade figures, noting that Pakistan's exports to Iraq stood at $54.29 million in the fiscal year 2024, while imports from Iraq totaled $145.46 million. He described this volume as significantly below the true potential, urging both sides to simplify customs procedures, enhance the ease of doing business, and diversify tradable goods and services. Arfeen also floated the idea of establishing an oil pipeline between Basra and Pakistan's southwestern port city of Gwadar, suggesting it could serve as a critical trade corridor for Iraq, facilitating access to broader Asian markets.
Arab News
16-04-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Iraq proposes sea link between Karachi and Basra to strengthen trade routes
ISLAMABAD: Iraq's Consul General Maher Mjhid Jejan has proposed a sea link between Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi and Basra in a bid to improve logistics and strengthen trade routes, the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) said on Wednesday. Relations between Pakistan and Iraq have received a boost with a number of ministerial-level exchanges in recent years. The two countries have held discussions on enhancing defense and law enforcement cooperation, focusing on counterterrorism, counternarcotics and intelligence-sharing. Pakistan has attempted to strengthen trade, investment and cooperation in priority sectors with regional allies in recent months as it attempts to attract international investment to achieve sustainable economic growth. Jejan visited the KCCI's office on Wednesday during which he met the organization's leadership. Talks between the two sides focused on strengthening business relations between and encouraging investment. 'He also proposed that a sea link between Basra and Karachi could play a key role in bringing the business communities of both countries closer together,' the KCCI said in a statement. 'This connection could improve logistics and strengthen trade routes.' Jejan said Iraq has introduced new investment laws designed to attract foreign investors, adding that these laws will be shared with the KCCI to help Pakistani businesses understand the opportunities available. 'He recognized the high quality of Pakistani products and expressed hope that Pakistani exporters and investors will explore the Iraqi market more actively,' the statement said. The Iraqi consul general said his country is witnessing rapid development and offers immense potential for trade and investment. He encouraged Pakistani businessmen to visit Iraq and see first-hand the 'peaceful and stable environment' in the country. KCCI Senior Vice President Zia ul Arfeen told Jejan that Pakistan's exports to Iraq stood at $54.29 million in FY24 while its imports from Iraq amounted to $145.46 million. 'He said that this trade volume is far below the actual potential and emphasized the need for both countries to simplify customs procedures, promote ease of doing business, and expand the range of tradable goods and services,' the KCCI said. Arfeen said establishing an oil pipeline between Basra and Pakistan's southwestern coastal city of Gwadar could create an important trade corridor for Iraq to access other Asian markets.
