Jeddah –by Noor-ul-Hassan Gujjar
A grand dinner was hosted in Jeddah by Chaudhry Shafqat Mahmood Dhool, President of the Pakistan Investors Forum, in honor of Ahmed Hassan Mutto, President of the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The event was attended by officials of the Pakistan Investors Forum, Commercial Consular Sadia Khan and Press Consular Irfan Chaudhry from the Pakistan Consulate Jeddah, former Federal Minister Chaudhry Shahbaz Hussain, former Advisor to the Chief Minister of Punjab and Chairman of Pakistan Investors Forum Chaudhry Azhar Abbas Warraich, Chairman PML-N Saudi Arabia Chaudhry Akram Gujar, along with political, social, business, and media personalities.
The ceremony began with a welcome address by Chaudhry Akram Gujar, Chairman of PML-N Saudi Arabia, who extended a warm welcome on behalf of the Pakistan Investors Forum to the guest of honor, Ahmed Hassan Mutto, and gave a detailed introduction of him.
On this occasion, Ahmed Hassan Mutto thanked the hosts and participants, stating that meeting with the Pakistani business community in Jeddah in this manner was an honor for him. He expressed the desire for Pakistani traders to be brought to Saudi Arabia in an organized manner, as Saudi Arabia is a vast and emerging market. Gujarat is a major industrial zone, and many of its products can be introduced into the Saudi market—an example being the Gujarat-made fans at the Haram Sharif, which bring great joy. He commended the role of the Pakistan Investors Forum, stating that the way the forum is facilitating paths for traders is praiseworthy.
Addressing the event, Commercial Consular Sadia Khan from the Pakistan Consulate Jeddah said the Consulate is always ready to assist Pakistani traders. She urged that traders coming from Pakistan should arrive in Saudi Arabia fully prepared and with business profiles, as it is a vast market full of opportunities. She appreciated the services of the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce, paying tribute to its entire cabinet, and emphasized the need for Pakistani chambers to establish strong links with chambers worldwide so that national products can reach global markets.
Former Federal Minister Chaudhry Shahbaz Hussain, in his address, praised Ahmed Hassan Mato’s performance and vision. He noted that Pakistani traders traditionally prefer Europe, but under current circumstances, Saudi Arabia has become the largest and most profitable market. If Pakistani traders focus on the Saudi market, they could achieve better profits compared to Europe. He stressed the need to concentrate trade efforts more on Saudi Arabia at this time.
President of the Pakistan Investors Forum, Chaudhry Shafqat Mahmood Dhool, welcomed all participants and stated that a strong connection between all chambers of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia is a crucial need of the hour. He mentioned that the Pakistan Investors Forum, with the cooperation of the Pakistan Consulate Jeddah, is not only assisting Pakistani traders residing in Saudi Arabia but also providing constant guidance to new traders coming from Pakistan. He emphasized the need to intensify joint efforts to introduce more Pakistani products into the Saudi market and paid tribute to the services of President Ahmed Hassan Mato and his cabinet.
Other notable personalities present at the event included Vice President of Pakistan Investors Forum Chaudhry Ghulam Mustafa Gujar, Finance Secretary Raja Muhammad Riaz, Chaudhry Tariq, Chaudhry Abdul Mateen, Chaudhry Zaryab, Chaudhry Akram Fayaz, Chaudhry Ihsan Ilahi Gujar, Saad Anas Junaid, Malik Umar Farooq, Chairman Pakistan Media Journalists Forum Chaudhry Noorul Hassan Gujar, and others.
At the conclusion of the event, there was a reaffirmation of the commitment to promote Pak-Saudi trade relations, mutual cooperation, and the introduction of Pakistani products into the Saudi market.
