A delegation comprising senior representatives of Export-Import Bank of Pakistan (Pak EXIM), The Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC), a member of the Islamic Development Bank Group, and the Export Development Fund (EDF) visited the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) to engage with the local exporters and strengthen collaboration aimed at supporting Pakistan’s export growth. The trilateral delegation was welcomed by LCCI under the leadership of President-LCCI, Mr. Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol, and key representatives of the region’s export-oriented business community.
The delegation announced the recent Reinsurance Agreement between ICIEC and Pak EXIM and a PKR ~3 billion SME Risk Pool agreement between EDF and Pak EXIM. The visit further provided an opportunity for all stakeholders to engage and discuss measures to facilitate greater access to export support products, services and schemes, particularly risk-mitigation solutions such as Pak EXIM’s Trade/Export Credit Insurance, with their delivery being enhanced through these 2 new agreements for large and SME exporters across Pakistan.
Lahore, as one of Pakistan’s major commercial and industrial centers, has a diverse business and export base spanning manufacturing, engineering, textiles, pharmaceuticals, food processing, leather, chemicals and other value-added sectors. The city’s extensive business ecosystem makes engagement with its private sector an important component in efforts to promote export diversification and enhance Pakistan’s international competitiveness.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Shahbaz Hussain Syed, President & CEO – Pak EXIM, emphasised the importance of sustained engagement with Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the private sector in strengthening Pakistan’s export ecosystem. He highlighted that closer collaboration with Lahore’s business community would help enhance awareness of and access to Pak EXIM’s current risk-mitigating Export Credit Insurance product range as well as the future financing, guarantee, advisory, and other products & services planned under its portfolio.
Dr. Khalid Khalafalla, CEO of ICIEC, stated "ICIEC is proud to deepen its long-standing partnership with Pak EXIM through this Reinsurance Agreement, which reinforces the risk-mitigation capacity underpinning Pakistan's export sector. ICIEC remains committed to working alongside our partners to expand access to credit and political risk insurance solutions for Pakistani exporters, including SMEs, and to supporting the country's drive toward greater export diversification and competitiveness in global markets. We look forward to building on this collaboration with Pak EXIM and EDF in the years ahead."
Mr. Faheem Ur Rehman Sagol, President – LCCI, said that LCCI was actively working for diversification of export markets and products and was committed to facilitating its members in accessing new international opportunities. He welcomed EXIM Bank and ICIEC leadership to the Lahore Chamber. LCCI also added that Lahore Chamber, being one of the largest chambers in Pakistan with over 48,000 member companies, represents businesses from diverse sectors, including large-scale industries, SMEs, exporters and importers. He said that with Pakistan’s imports reaching around USD 70 billion, there was an urgent need to enhance and diversify exports.
The engagement reflects the shared commitment of Pak EXIM, ICIEC and EDF in strengthening Pakistan’s export capacity, promoting greater participation of businesses in international trade, and contributing to sustainable export-led economic growth.
