- Ethiopian Embassy engages leading business groups in Lahore, Sialkot and Sheikhupura, mobilising Pakistan’s top industrialists for the Third Trade and Investment Delegation to Ethiopia, scheduled for January 24–29, 2027.
ISLAMABAD: In a significant initiative to strengthen Ethiopia-Pakistan economic relations, the Embassy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in Islamabad, under the dynamic leadership of H.E. Dr. Oumer Hussien Oba, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ethiopia to Pakistan, has intensified its economic diplomacy by engaging with leading industrialists, corporate executives and business organisations across Lahore, Sialkot and Sheikhupura.
The extensive outreach campaign aims to mobilise Pakistan’s major industrial and business groups for the Third Trade and Investment Delegation to Ethiopia, scheduled to take place from January 24 to January 29, 2027. The initiative reflects Ambassador Dr. Oumer Oba’s proactive approach to transforming diplomatic relations into practical economic partnerships, investment opportunities and long-term business cooperation between the two countries.
During the five-day engagement across Punjab, the Ethiopian Embassy delegation held high-level meetings with prominent Pakistani business leaders and visited major industrial facilities to introduce Ethiopia’s emerging investment landscape, industrial development priorities, market potential and strategic opportunities for international investors.
The discussions covered several priority sectors, including agriculture, pharmaceuticals, steel, textiles, leather, automobiles and aviation, highlighting areas where Pakistani industrial expertise, technology and investment could contribute to Ethiopia’s expanding economy while opening new markets for Pakistani businesses.
High-Level Engagement with Pakistan’s Leading Industrialists
As part of this extensive economic outreach, Ambassador Dr. Oumer Hussien Oba and the Embassy delegation met with some of Pakistan’s most prominent corporate executives and industrial leaders, including:
- Khawaja Masood, Chief Executive Officer of Forward Sports;
- Salim Ghauri, Chief Executive Officer of NETSOL Technologies Limited;
- Osman Khalid Waheed, Chief Executive Officer of Ferozsons Laboratories;
- Taufiq Ahmad Khan, Chairman of Highnoon Laboratories;
- Dr. Adeel Abbas, Chief Executive Officer of Highnoon;
- Raheel Asghar, Chief Executive Officer of Millat Group;
- Ameen Ahsan, Chief Executive Officer of Nizamsons; and
- Abbas Mukhtar, Director of Fatima Group.
These engagements provided an opportunity to exchange information on Ethiopia’s economic transformation, investment incentives, industrial expansion and business environment, while identifying potential areas of collaboration between Ethiopian and Pakistani enterprises.
Visits to Major Industrial Facilities
The Embassy delegation also visited several major industrial establishments to gain firsthand insight into Pakistan’s industrial capabilities and explore opportunities for transferring expertise, developing joint ventures and establishing business partnerships with Ethiopian counterparts.
The industrial visits included Fatima Group, Atlas Honda, Mughal Steel and two industrial units at Sundar Industrial Estate.
These visits enabled the Ethiopian delegation to engage directly with industrial operations and assess the potential for cooperation in manufacturing, engineering, agricultural processing, steel production, automobiles and other sectors of mutual interest.
Sheikhupura Chamber of Commerce Supports Ethiopia-Pakistan Business Initiative
The economic diplomacy campaign also extended to the Sheikhupura Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where the Embassy delegation exchanged information about the forthcoming Third Trade and Investment Delegation to Ethiopia with local business executives and industrial representatives.
The meeting was attended by Chamber President Imran Zahid, Senior Vice President Asif Saeed Mughal, and Manzoor ul Haq Malik, Group Head and Founder of the Global Business Community Club.
The discussions focused on encouraging Pakistani entrepreneurs and industrialists to explore Ethiopia’s investment opportunities, establish business-to-business connections and become part of the growing economic partnership between the two countries.
Ethiopia’s Economic Transformation Attracts Pakistani Business Community
During the engagements, Pakistani industrialists and business leaders expressed appreciation for Ethiopia’s economic transformation and its efforts to strengthen industrialisation, expand infrastructure, diversify the economy and attract international investment.
The discussions reflected growing interest among Pakistan’s business community in exploring Ethiopia as an emerging destination for investment, manufacturing, trade and industrial cooperation.
Ethiopia’s strategic position in the Horn of Africa, its access to major regional markets, expanding industrial infrastructure and its role as the headquarters of the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa in Addis Ababa offer significant opportunities for international business partnerships.
Dr. Oumer Oba’s Economic Diplomacy: Turning Diplomatic Relations into Business Opportunities
Ambassador Dr. Oumer Hussien Oba’s sustained engagement with Pakistan’s leading industrial and corporate groups demonstrates the important role of proactive economic diplomacy in strengthening bilateral relations.
Rather than limiting diplomatic engagement to traditional meetings, the Ethiopian Embassy has taken its outreach directly to Pakistan’s industrial centres, connecting Ethiopian investment opportunities with the decision-makers of major Pakistani enterprises.
The initiative is particularly significant as both countries seek to expand South-South cooperation, strengthen trade connectivity and create new opportunities for sustainable economic development.
The Third Trade and Investment Delegation to Ethiopia, scheduled for January 24–29, 2027, is expected to provide Pakistani business leaders with an important platform to explore investment opportunities, meet Ethiopian counterparts, develop commercial partnerships and identify potential joint ventures.
Through these efforts, Ambassador Dr. Oumer Hussien Oba is playing an instrumental role in bringing the business communities of Ethiopia and Pakistan closer together, advancing a shared vision of economic cooperation, industrial development and prosperity across the Global South.
BY: The Times Union
