By ABDULLAH 
Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider has officially launched the much-awaited Industry & Trade Directory 2025, prepared by the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI). The publication, widely regarded as a gateway to business networking, is expected to help strengthen trade partnerships, attract investment, and increase exports.
The event was attended by prominent business leaders, government officials, and members of the LCCI Executive Committee, highlighting the importance of structured and accessible business directories in Pakistan’s economic growth.
The Trade & Industry Directory 2025 compiles detailed profiles of 36,500 members of the LCCI, classified into five key categories:
- Manufacturers: 5,315
- Exporters: 5,135
- Importers: 9,011
- Traders: 17,072
- Service Providers: 10,047
The directory covers a wide spectrum of industries, including:
- Agriculture & Horticulture
- Automobiles & Auto Parts
- Construction & Building Materials
- Chemicals, Textiles & Leather
- Food & Beverages
- Iron & Steel
- IT & Software
- Furniture, Wood & Jewellery
- Dairy, Livestock & Fisheries
Available in print, PDF, and online formats, the directory is alphabetically indexed, with an advanced online search tool for ease of access.
In his address, Governor Haider termed the directory a “gateway for identifying potential trade partners and attracting investments”, stressing that authentic, updated, and comprehensive data is vital for economic growth.
“Business linkages are the key to growth in today’s era. Trade directories connect people, ideas, and investments, making them an indispensable tool for boosting exports and building stronger trade relations,” he noted.
Business analysts also emphasize that such directories are not just lists of contacts but strategic resources. They allow exporters, manufacturers, and investors to explore opportunities within Pakistan’s growing business ecosystem.
The governor also took the occasion to highlight flood challenges and water resource management. He acknowledged the LCCI’s donation of Rs. 2.5 million for flood victims, stressing the urgent need for dam construction.
He pointed out that despite the successes of Tarbela and Mangla, no major dams have been built in recent decades. This, he warned, leaves Pakistan vulnerable to water wastage and floods.
According to LCCI President Mian Abuzar Shad, the current floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa alone have caused Rs. 98 billion in damages, while the 2022 floods inflicted over $30 billion in losses. He noted that $12 billion worth of water flows into the sea annually, which, if stored, could transform agriculture, industry, and power generation.
The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry has long been a bridge between the private sector and policymakers. With this directory, the LCCI aims to provide business intelligence, verified contacts, and networking opportunities to local and international stakeholders.
LCCI Senior Vice President Engineer Khalid Usman and Vice President Shahid Nazir Chaudhry highlighted that the directory is not just a membership record but a national resource that foreign investors, trade delegations, and Pakistani exporters can rely on.
Industry experts also see this initiative as a step toward building a Pakistan-wide trade portal that could eventually be integrated with global trade directories such as the UK Trade Directory and other international chambers of commerce.
The Directory of Trade & Industry 2025 is designed to serve as:
- A Networking Hub – Connecting businesses across Pakistan and abroad.
- An Export Tool – Helping international buyers identify top exporters in Pakistan.
- A Knowledge Resource – Providing verified data on companies by sector.
- A Trade Facilitation Platform – Assisting SMEs and startups in finding suppliers, buyers, and investors.
- An Investment Guide – Highlighting opportunities across Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and Rawalpindi.
Many entrepreneurs, especially SMEs, struggle with visibility. This directory, available both online and offline, gives them a competitive advantage by ensuring they are searchable in local and international business directories.
Following the launch, social media platforms lit up with reactions from the business community and youth entrepreneurs.
- On Twitter (X), hashtags like #TradeDirectoryPakistan and #LCCI2025 trended in Lahore.
- On LinkedIn, exporters praised the initiative, calling it a “game-changer for SMEs.”
- Business forums on Facebook and WhatsApp groups shared the directory’s importance for connecting with buyers abroad.
One young entrepreneur from Karachi wrote:
“Finding authentic buyers and suppliers is a daily struggle. This directory will save time, reduce scams, and create real opportunities.”
As Pakistan continues to face economic challenges, climate risks, and global competition, initiatives like the LCCI Directory of Trade & Industry 2025 are vital. By offering verified, accessible, and sector-diverse business data, it opens the doors for:
- Export growth
- Increased foreign investment
- Collaboration between industries
- Better resource utilization
Ultimately, the success of this project will depend on regular updates, digital expansion, and integration with other chambers of commerce across Pakistan.
The launch of the Directory of Trade & Industry 2025 marks an important step in strengthening Pakistan’s trade and industrial base. By making 36,500 business profiles available in a structured, accessible format, the directory serves as both a domestic and international trade portal.
With the governor’s call for better resource management, and the LCCI’s commitment to business facilitation and flood relief, this publication embodies the dual role of the business community: driving growth while supporting resilience.
👉 For businesses in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and beyond, this is more than a book or PDF. It is a gateway to opportunities, partnerships, and progress.