Welcoming the delegation, Mr. Mammadov praised Pakistan as a close and brotherly country and commended the establishment of the Azerbaijan Pakistan Joint Chamber of Commerce & Industry (APJCCI) as a timely and strategic step to institutionalize business linkages. He noted that the current trade volume between Pakistan and Azerbaijan remains far below potential, and highlighted the need to focus on targeted actions to unlock opportunities in both markets.
Mr. Mammadov emphasized to focus on key sectors for cooperation particularly pharmaceuticals, tourism, agriculture, construction, food and technology sectors, where collaboration with Pakistan could bring tangible benefits. He shared that KOBIA plans to send a business delegation to Pakistan at the end of the year to hold B2B meetings, sign cooperation agreements, and explore opportunities for joint ventures. He also extended an invitation to Pakistani entrepreneurs to participate in the upcoming Azerbaijan Halal Business Forum, describing it as an important platform for building partnerships in the halal food, cosmetics, and tourism industries.
Speaking at this occasion, Mr. Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, Patron-in-Chief of APJCCI, thanked KOBIA for its hospitality and acknowledged its valuable role in supporting entrepreneurship and SME growth in Azerbaijan. He highlighted that SMEs represent nearly 40% of Pakistan’s GDP and employ a large share of the workforce, particularly in the industrial, trade, and service sectors. Recognizing the similarities in both economies, he proposed the establishment of an APJCCI Facilitation Office within KOBIA’s SMB Houses, which would serve as a coordination point for Pakistani entrepreneurs exploring opportunities in Azerbaijan.
Mr. Bakhtawari also proposed the creation of product display centers in both countries to enhance market visibility and to support business-to-business engagement. He further suggested that both sides could, over time, explore enhanced trade arrangements within the framework of the newly signed Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), while being mindful of Azerbaijan’s approach to protecting domestic manufacturers.
H.E. Mr. Qasim Mohiuddin, Ambassador of Pakistan to Azerbaijan, said that Pakistan views Azerbaijan as an important partner for trade and investment. He highlighted the importance of understanding regulatory arrangements between the two markets and appreciated KOBIA’s one-stop-shop model as an example of effective business facilitation that could inspire similar initiatives in Pakistan.
In response, Mr. Mammadov expressed appreciation for the constructive ideas and assured that KOBIA would work closely with APJCCI to translate these proposals into practical cooperation. He reiterated Azerbaijan’s commitment to supporting Pakistani entrepreneurs through policy facilitation, partnerships, and SME-oriented programs, while acknowledging the contributions of Mr. Babak Huseynli for his instrumental role in organizing meetings and fostering collaboration between the two sides.
The meeting concluded with a shared understanding that SME cooperation would form the backbone of future economic relations between Pakistan and Azerbaijan. Both sides agreed that sustained engagement, exchange of delegations, and collaborative programs between KOBIA and APJCCI would help realize the full potential of bilateral trade, investment, and entrepreneurship.
The delegation also visited various sections of the SMB House, where they were briefed on its operations and range of services. They highly appreciated the vision and leadership of KOBIA in developing such a comprehensive “one-stop-shop” facility that brings together multiple government and business support services under one roof. The delegation noted that this integrated model covering business registration, licensing, certification, and advisory support provides an enabling environment for entrepreneurs and serves as a practical example of how streamlined facilitation can strengthen SME growth and investment promotion.
