- PM Sharif Underscores Importance of Public-Private Partnerships
- Razavi Khorasan Governor Extends Hand to Pakistani Businesses
- FPCCI President Calls for Collaboration Among Islamic Nations
- ICCD Highlights Tourism’s Role in Attracting Foreign Investment
- Sustainable Tourism: A Key Driver of Economic Development
Karachi – In a move aimed at strengthening economic cooperation, the Governor of Razavi Khorasan province in Iran has extended an invitation to the Pakistani business community to explore and enhance bilateral trade. This invitation comes as Pakistan emphasizes the importance of sustainable tourism and seeks to boost economic ties within the Islamic world.
Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh, President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), relayed the invitation, highlighting the potential for increased collaboration between the two nations, particularly with the Razavi Khorasan province. This development coincides with Pakistan’s hosting of the Sustainable Tourism Forum (STF) in Karachi, a collaborative effort between the FPCCI, the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development (ICCD), and the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC).
Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, in a special message for the STF, commended the ICCD’s efforts in promoting sustainable tourism. He emphasized the forum’s importance as an international platform for transforming the global tourism landscape and reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurial ventures in the sector. The Prime Minister also called for collaboration between the government, private sector, and international partners to establish Pakistan as a leading tourist destination and contribute to the growth of the OIC tourism market.
H.E. Gholam Hossein Mozaffari, Governor of Razavi Khorasan, Iran, was a guest of honor at the STF and extended a warm invitation to the business community and people of Pakistan to increase business, trade, economic, religious, and cultural exchanges.
Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh stressed the importance of collaboration among Islamic countries to propel the tourism industry and create a more prosperous economic future. He noted that tourism supports numerous allied industries and sustains the economies of many countries. He further emphasized that tourism is a cornerstone of many OIC member state economies, contributing significantly to foreign exchange earnings, employment opportunities, poverty alleviation, and community empowerment.
H.E. Yousef Khalawi, Secretary General of the ICCD, underscored the STF’s significance as a key platform for supporting and developing sustainable tourism practices across the Islamic world. He highlighted tourism’s role in attracting foreign direct investment and driving economic development. Khalawi called for collaborative efforts to promote sustainable practices and implement global standards in local communities.
H.E. Hissein Brahim Taha, Secretary General, emphasized the need to focus on developing sustainable tourism practices, leveraging digital technology, and promoting inclusive growth. He stressed the vital role of the private sector in complementing public initiatives and adopting a holistic approach to sustainable tourism development.
H.E. Ms. Zehra Zümrüt Selçuk, former Turkish Minister of Family & Social Services and Director General, Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC), highlighted the crucial role of the private sector in fostering sustainable tourism within OIC member countries. The forum served as a platform for discussing strategies to enhance collaboration and promote sustainable tourism practices across the Islamic world, with a focus on public-private partnerships and community engagement.