A 37-member Pakistani business delegation participated in the 21st MÜSİAD EXPO and the 29th International Business Forum (IBF) Conference in Istanbul, Türkiye, where it proposed hosting the IBF Conference in Pakistan in 2029.
The exhibition was held from September 23 to 26 at the Istanbul Expo Center. The Pakistani delegation took part in the exhibition, business meetings, the IBF conference and diplomatic engagements aimed at strengthening commercial ties between Pakistan and Türkiye.
The delegation was led by Sohail Aziz, Director of PIBF Global and President of PIBF Karachi, while Muhammad Aamir Rafay served as chief coordinator for the PIBF Global delegation.
The group included industrialists, exporters and young entrepreneurs from Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Gujranwala, Sialkot and other Pakistani cities.
MÜSİAD, a major private-sector business organization in Türkiye, has chapters in 79 countries, according to the delegation. Representatives from around 42 countries participated in the 29th IBF Conference.
During the Board of Governors meeting, Aziz highlighted Pakistan’s economy, export sector, small and medium-sized enterprises and the potential of its young business community.
The delegation also presented a proposal to expand the Mera Brand Pakistan initiative into a broader platform for Muslim brands. PIBF invited IBF and MÜSİAD representatives from around the world to attend the Grand Mera Brand Pakistan Expo, scheduled for January 22 to 24, 2027, at the Karachi Expo Center.
Pakistan also proposed hosting the IBF Conference and related international business activities in 2029. According to the delegation, Syria is scheduled to host the conference in 2027, followed by Türkiye in 2028, while Pakistan’s proposal for 2029 remains under consideration.
The Pakistani delegation presented commemorative shields to Pakistan’s Consul General in Istanbul, Foja Khurram, the IBF chairman, MÜSİAD President Burhan Özdemir and other dignitaries.
On the final day of the expo, the delegation held a meeting with MÜSİAD Secretary General Mehmet Çakmak. Discussions focused on strengthening Pakistan-Türkiye trade relations, organizing joint exhibitions and exploring investment opportunities.
PIBF said its participation in the Istanbul event could help Pakistani businesses develop export networks, introduce local products to international markets and strengthen connections with businesses across the Muslim world.
The organization said continued engagement and structured follow-up could create further opportunities for Pakistani SMEs and entrepreneurs to expand their international presence.
