KARACHI: Consul General of Iraq in Karachi Maher Mjhid Jejan has reaffirmed the Iraqi Consulate’s commitment to acting as a bridge between the business communities of Iraq and Pakistan, with a strong emphasis on enhancing bilateral trade, investment and tourism.

Speaking during a meeting at the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), the envoy expressed confidence that the reopening of the Iraqi consulate in Karachi, after a gap of 23 years, would help further cement long-standing Islamic and cultural ties, while significantly improving economic cooperation between the two countries.

The consul general said that the Iraqi consulate is available 24/7 to assist the business community in Karachi and to facilitate those interested in exploring opportunities in Iraq. He stressed the importance of assuring the wider business community that the consulate’s doors are always open.

He added that the Iraqi consulate would maintain regular engagement with the KCCI and the broader business community to foster commercial ties and streamline required procedures. Reiterating his commitment, he remarked: “I will always be available to the business community. If the 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 highlighted that close collaboration and frequent interaction with the KCCI would be instrumental in unlocking the full potential of Iraq-Pakistan economic relations. Jejan noted that Iraq is undergoing rapid development and offers considerable potential for trade and investment. He encouraged Pakistani businesspeople to visit Iraq and witness the peaceful and stable environment for themselves, urging them to disregard outdated security concerns, as travel across the country is now largely unhindered.

He also shared that Iraq has introduced new investment laws aimed at attracting foreign investors. These regulations would be shared with KCCI to enable Pakistani businesses to better understand the opportunities on offer. Acknowledging the high quality of Pakistani products, he expressed hope that exporters and investors from Pakistan would more actively explore the Iraqi market.

The consul general proposed the establishment of a sea-link between Basra and Karachi, which he said could play a crucial role in bringing the two business communities closer by improving logistics and strengthening trade routes.

He announced that business attestation services have now commenced at the Iraqi consulate in Karachi, allowing businesses to get documents attested for dealings with Iraqi firms directly from the consulate.

Providing an update on visa facilitation, the envoy stated that although visa issuance from the Karachi consulate has not yet begun, operations are expected to start within a month, once a dedicated visa team arrives from Iraq. In the interim, business visas are being issued promptly by the Iraqi Embassy in Islamabad. “Business visa applicants can submit their required documents along with a visa recommendation letter from the KCCI, and their applications will be processed without delays.”

Importantly, he also noted that electronic visa (e-visa) services are available, enabling Pakistani nationals — especially business travellers — to apply online without needing to visit the consulate in person.

Earlier, KCCI Senior Vice President Ziaul Arfeen welcomed the consul general and observed that Pakistan’s exports to Iraq stood at $54.29 million in FY24, while imports from Iraq amounted to $145.46 million. He remarked that this volume remains far below its potential and called for simplifying customs procedures, improving ease of doing business, and expanding the range of tradable goods and services between the two countries.