The Azerbaijan-Pakistan Business Forum on Expansion of Trade and Economic Relations hosted discussions between officials of the two countries and entrepreneurs representing various sectors.

The Azerbaijan-Pakistan Business Forum was held in Baku with the joint organisational support of the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Commerce of Pakistan, the Export and Investment Promotion Agency - AZPROMO, and the Trade Development Board of Pakistan. In addition to officials from both sides, the event was attended by some 90 entrepreneurs from the pharmaceutical, textile, industrial, and other sectors.

Deputy Minister of Economy Samed Bashirli noted that trade and economic relations between Azerbaijan and Pakistan, as well as relations in other spheres, are at a high level. He provided information about the favourable investment environment and business opportunities created in Azerbaijan, as well as the successful activity of Pakistani companies in our country.

Noting that there is a great potential for further expansion of relations between the two countries, the Deputy Minister expressed confidence that the events held with the participation of business circles, including the Joint Working Group and the Business Forum, which held its 4th meeting today, will contribute to the development of the partnership, create new opportunities for cooperation and have a positive impact on the development of interregional relations. Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Jawad Paul hailed the business forum as a convenient platform for the expansion of international trade and sustainable economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and Pakistan. The Secretary of the Ministry highlighted areas of cooperation with the Pakistani business community, including opportunities in the fields of industry, energy, tourism, transport, and logistics.

Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to our country Qasim Mohiuddin said that high-level diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Pakistan create a solid basis for the development and diversification of economic partnership. Orhan Mammadov, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBİA), drew attention to the measures taken for the development of small and medium businesses in our country, the activities of the Agency in this field, as well as the opportunities for cooperation with relevant institutions and business structures of Pakistan in the SMB sector.

Yusif Abdullayev, Executive Director of AZPROMO, shared his views on the organisation's work to promote exports and the prospects for expanding trade and investment relations with Pakistan.

At the end of the event, a video on Pakistan's business and investment environment was screened and bilateral business meetings were organised.