Tehran Chamber of Commerce President sends message to Pakistan-Africa Trade Conference
At the Pakistan-Africa Trade Conference 2026, which was held on May 13 and hosted by Pakistan, the President of the Tehran Chamber made three proposals in a video message, including "creating a pilot Pakistan-Iran-Africa trade route", "designing a pilot project in the field of trade focusing on medicines, food products and industrial goods", and "synergy between the financial and trade institutions of the parties with the aim of facilitating payments and reducing trade risks" to initiate joint cooperation between the chambers of commerce and the private sector of Iran, Pakistan and African countries.
The Pakistan-Africa Business Conference 2026 is designed as a strategic and effective platform to connect policymakers, investors, businessmen and industry leaders from Pakistan and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) comprising 16 African countries. Its aim is to enhance trade exchanges, facilitate investment opportunities and encourage strategic partnerships in various sectors.
Business areas discussed and exchanged at the event include pharmaceuticals, healthcare and medical equipment, banking, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and food industries, agriculture, information and communication technology, automotive, technical and engineering services and products, textiles, tourism and social development.
Mahmoud Najafi-Arab, the head of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce, who participated in the event at the invitation of the President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce, described strengthening South-South cooperation and the formation of new trade routes as a necessity in a video message, saying: The initiative to develop Pakistan-Iran-Africa trade routes has the potential to become a sustainable route to connect complementary markets in South Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Links that, in addition to strengthening bilateral cooperation, will facilitate wider access to the markets of Central Asia, the South Caucasus and Russia for foreign partners, including African countries.
Continuing the conference, the head of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce proposed the formation of a joint working group between the chambers of commerce of Iran, Pakistan and representatives of African countries with the mission of developing a roadmap for the “Pakistan-Iran-Africa Pilot Trade Route” and introducing a specific operational route within three months. He also proposed the launch of a pilot project in the field of trade focusing on medicines, food products and industrial goods to identify real obstacles in the logistics, customs and financing sectors.
At the same time, developing synergies between financial and commercial institutions with the aim of facilitating payments and reducing transaction risks was raised as the third proposal by the Chairman of the Tehran Chamber at the Pakistan-Africa Business Conference 2026.
Continuing his message, the Chairman of the Tehran Chamber emphasized that chambers of commerce, as representatives of the private sector, have the ability to play a role beyond trade facilitation and can help strengthen trust, reduce gaps, and form a sustainable regional cooperation through the development of economic interactions. At the end of his speech, the Chairman of the Tehran Chamber emphasized that the three proposals raised will be decisive steps to transform a strategic idea into an operational path and develop the regional economy.