Karachi Port could play a vital role in connecting regional markets: Vietnamese Ambassador

KARACHI, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th May, 2026) Ambassador of Vietnam to Pakistan Pham Anh Tuan has said that evolving geopolitical and trade dynamics in the region have created new opportunities for Pakistan, particularly for Karachi, which possesses the potential to rapidly emerge as a regional trade and logistics hub owing to the strategic importance of Karachi Port.

Speaking during his visit to Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), Ambassador Pham Anh Tuan observed that disruptions in global supply chains due to ongoing tensions in the middle East and the broader US-Israel-Iran conflict have compelled businesses worldwide to explore alternative trade and transshipment routes. In this scenario, Karachi Port could play a vital role in connecting regional markets, particularly the Middle East, through enhanced maritime and transshipment activities.

Ambassador Pham Anh Tuan stated that this was his second visit to Karachi and also his second interaction at KCCI, which reflected the importance attached by the Vietnamese Embassy to strengthening engagement with Pakistan’s business community, particularly through KCCI which plays a pivotal role in promoting bilateral economic cooperation.

The Ambassador further informed that both countries have initiated discussions on a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), which would substantially benefit the business communities of both sides.

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Under the proposed PTA framework, tariffs on more than 100 product lines are expected to be reduced to zero, thereby creating new avenues for bilateral trade expansion and industrial collaboration. He added that negotiations are progressing positively and both governments are actively pursuing the agreement.

Emphasizing the need for stronger business-to-business interaction, Ambassador Pham Anh Tuan invited KCCI to send a high-powered trade delegation to Vietnam to explore investment opportunities, joint ventures and commercial partnerships.

The meeting was also attended by Head of Vietnam Trade Mission in Karachi Nguyen Thi Diep Ha, President KCCI Muhammad Rehan Hanif, Senior Vice President KCCI Muhammad Raza, Chairman Diplomatic Missions & Embassies Liaison Subcommittee Ahsan Arshad Sheikh and members of the KCCI Executive Committee.

Earlier, President KCCI Muhammad Rehan Hanif, while welcoming the Vietnamese delegation, stated that KCCI attaches immense importance to strengthening economic relations between Pakistan and Vietnam.