Jeddah: The Pakistan Investors Forum organized a reception and dinner in honor of Consul General of Pakistan Syed Mustafa Rabbani in Jeddah. The event was attended by a large number of business leaders, investors, and prominent members of the Pakistani community. Special guests included Ghulam Safdar, President of the Pakistan Investors Forum Riyadh, and Munir Ahmed Shad, Chairman of the Pakistan Executive Forum.
Addressing the gathering, Consul General Syed Mustafa Rabbani urged Pakistani investors to adopt a coordinated, effective, and long-term investment strategy to help increase Pakistan’s foreign exchange earnings. He assured participants that the Consulate General would extend every possible support to Pakistani investors and that its doors would always remain open for guidance and assistance.
He said Saudi Arabia offers a secure, stable, and business-friendly environment for Pakistani investors, with an effective regulatory framework and active institutions facilitating trade and investment. He also congratulated Chaudhry Shafqat Mahmood on his appointment as Chairman of the Pakistan Investors Forum Saudi Arabia and pledged the Consulate’s full cooperation.
Speaking on the occasion, Chaudhry Shafqat Mahmood said that, through the unanimous decision of the Pakistan Investors Forum Jeddah, Pakistan Investors Forum Dammam, Pakistan Investors Forum Riyadh, and the Pakistan Executive Forum, he had been appointed Chairman of the Pakistan Investors Forum Saudi Arabia to unite Pakistani investors under one platform. He further announced that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had been signed between the Pakistan Investors Forum Jeddah and the Pakistan Executive Forum to strengthen networking among investors and create joint business opportunities.
He noted that the joint efforts of the forums had already resulted in several significant business agreements. He also shared that Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ahmed Farooq, had informed the forums of an important development regarding bank guarantees, describing it as an encouraging step for Pakistani investors. He added that a delegation of the Pakistan Investors Forum had recently visited Sudan, where discussions were held with senior officials on investment opportunities in mining, energy, agriculture, infrastructure, and industry.
Referring to an online meeting with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Board of Investment, Chaudhry Shafqat Mahmood said Pakistani investors residing in Saudi Arabia have vast opportunities to invest in agriculture, tourism, mining, information technology, and other sectors. He emphasized that such investments could further strengthen economic cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
Earlier, Secretary General Abdul Khaliq Lak welcomed the guests and stressed the need for collective efforts to address the issues faced by the Pakistani community. He highlighted the importance of working together to improve access to education, healthcare, housing, and other essential services. He also reaffirmed the forum’s commitment to promoting Pakistani investment in Saudi Arabia, developing skilled manpower, and creating new opportunities for young professionals.
Pakistan Investors Forum Riyadh President Ghulam Safdar briefed the audience on the establishment of the forum’s central body in Saudi Arabia and its recent meeting with Pakistan’s Ambassador Ahmed Farooq. He said a joint strategy was being adopted to make the forum more organized, active, and effective. He expressed confidence that the MoU with the Pakistan Executive Forum and the appointment of Chaudhry Shafqat Mahmood as Chairman would strengthen unity, coordination, and cooperation among Pakistani investors.
Pakistan Executive Forum Chairman Munir Ahmed Shad said the consensus reached by all participating forums was unprecedented in Saudi Arabia. He expressed hope that this unity would continue to grow stronger and enable Pakistani investors to make a meaningful contribution to Pakistan’s economic stability and development.
Among those present at the event were Trade Development Counsellor Saadia Khan, former Federal Minister Chaudhry Shahbaz Hussain, Chaudhry Akram Gujar, Chaudhry Azhar Abbas Waraich, Chaudhry Zaheer, Masood Ahmed Puri, and several other distinguished personalities.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, commemorative shields were presented to Consul General Syed Mustafa Rabbani, Pakistan Executive Forum Chairman Munir Ahmed Shad, and Pakistan Investors Forum Riyadh President Ghulam Safdar. The evening concluded with a dinner hosted in honor of the guests and participants.