Islamabad: The National Center for Brand Development (NCBD), initiated by the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, held a roundtable conference on national branding in Islamabad, where Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal stressed the importance of developing strong national and commercial branding to enhance Pakistan’s export growth.

According to Press Information Department, Ahsan Iqbal highlighted the disparity in export figures between Pakistan and regional competitors, such as Vietnam, pointing out that Pakistan’s exports have stagnated around $40 billion since 1990, whereas Vietnam’s have reached $475 billion. The Minister emphasized the need for Pakistan to shift from being a manufacturer for global brands to developing its own internationally recognized brands to capitalize on its capacity to produce high-end products.

At the conference, Iqbal discussed the role of the National Center for Brand Development in supporting local industries to enter global markets and establish a “Made in Pakistan” identity. He outlined a national branding strategy built on seven key pillars, including culture, exports, governance, and sports, which would provide a foundation for a competitive Pakistan brand.

The roundtable also served as a platform for stakeholders to share ideas for a nation branding campaign and to build consensus on the Country Brand Framework. Discussions focused on the importance of a unified national effort to enhance Pakistan’s global image and competitiveness. The Minister noted that the NCBD would fill an institutional gap in national branding efforts and align with the objectives of URAAN Pakistan to boost exports and economic stability.