Consul General of Iraq in Karachi Maher Mjhid Jejan on Wednesday expressed confidence the reopening of the Iraqi Consulate in the Sindh capital after 23 years will help further strengthen deep-rooted Islamic and cultural ties as well as boost trade, investment, and tourism cooperation between the two countries.
In a visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, he expressed the Iraqi Consulate’s firm commitment to serving as a bridge between the business communities of Iraq and Pakistan, with a strong focus on promoting bilateral trade, investment, and tourism.
Stressing that the consulate is available 24/7 to assist and facilitate Karachi’s business community and support those interested in exploring opportunities in Iraq, Jejan assured the KCCI that it will maintain regular interactions with the business community to strengthen commercial ties and simplify necessary procedures for both sides.
“I will always be available to the business community. Even if KCCI requires, I will meet you 10 times a month. We can form a joint working group to identify areas of trade and investment cooperation between the two countries,” he said. The envoy emphasized that close collaboration and frequent engagement with the KCCI would be instrumental in unlocking the true potential of Iraq–Pakistan economic ties.
According to Jejan, Iraq is witnessing rapid development that offers immense potential for trade and investment. He encouraged Pakistani businessmen to visit Iraq and see the country’s peaceful and stable environment, stressing that misconceptions about security should be discarded.
The consul general said Iraq has introduced new laws designed to attract foreign investors, adding he would provided these to the KCCI to help Pakistani businesses understand available opportunities. He also hoped that Pakistani exporters and investors would explore the Iraqi market more actively.
Jejan proposed a sea-link between Basra and Karachi, saying this bring the business communities of both countries closer together by improving logistics and strengthening trade routes.
The envoy said the Iraqi consulate had commenced business attestation services and any businesses requiring the facility for dealings with Iraqi companies could now approach it directly.
On visa facilitation, he said this process was still pending but should commence in a month upon the arrival of a dedicated visa team from Iraq. However, he said, visas are being issued from the Iraqi Embassy in Islamabad. “Business visa applicants can submit their required documents along with a visa recommendation letter from KCCI, and their applications will be processed without any delays,” he said.
He said electronic visa facilities are also available, making it easier for Pakistani nationals, especially business travelers, to apply for visas without the need to visit the consulate in person.
KCCI officials
Earlier, KCCI Senior Vice President Ziaul Arfeen welcomed the Iraqi consul general, noting Pakistan’s exports to Iraq in FY24 stood at $54.29 million against imports of $145.46 million. He said this trade volume was far below actual potential, and emphasized the need for both countries to simplify customs procedures, promote ease of doing business, and expand the range of tradable goods and services.
He suggested that Iraq consider investing in Pakistan’s Special Economic Zones under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, adding establishing an oil pipeline between Basra and Gwadar could create an important trade corridor for Iraq to access other Asian markets.
Arfeen also identified several sectors with strong potential for enhancing bilateral trade, including agriculture, textiles, I.T., pharmaceuticals, plastics, rubber, energy, and petrochemicals. He also stressed the importance of improving cooperation in tourism, which would benefit both economies and foster stronger people-to-people ties.
The meeting concluded with a shared sense of optimism that bilateral relations between Iraq and Pakistan will continue to flourish, especially through greater trade, investment, and cultural exchanges facilitated by the reopening of the Iraqi Consulate in Karachi.