Pakistan partners with UAE's DP World to launch export gateway in Dubai
The 'Pakistan Mart' is a joint venture between the Pakistan's National Logistics Corporation (NLC) and the UAE's DP World logistics management company to establish a dedicated trade hub in Dubai.
The development followed the visit of a high-level delegation representing the NLC and DP World to the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency reported.
The delegation was led by Brig. Mohammad Yousaf, Director Plans at NLC, along with Abdullah Yaqoob Al-Sayed Ahmad Al-Hashmi, Head of Traders Markets at DP World, Fakhre Alam, Vice Chairman of DP World, and Junaid Tariq, Director Business at NLC.
'The facility in Dubai will provide state-of-the-art logistics, warehousing, and retail infrastructure to facilitate direct access for Pakistani manufacturers and exporters to high-demand markets across the Middle East, Africa, and South America,' Brig. Yousaf was quoted as saying at a session outlining the scope of Pakistan Mart.
Pakistani exporters often participate in major trade exhibitions in Dubai to showcase products ranging from textiles to food and pharmaceuticals. These events offer direct access to global buyers, enhance brand visibility and support Pakistan's efforts to expand its export footprint in the Gulf and beyond.
On the occasion, DP World Head of Traders Markets Al-Hashmi described Pakistan Mart as a 'gateway to global trade,' designed to facilitate business through integrated warehousing, logistics and exhibition spaces.
The UAE is Pakistan's third-largest trading partner after China and the United States, and a major source of remittances and foreign investment. Policymakers in Pakistan consider the Emirates an optimal export destination due to their geographical proximity, which minimizes transportation and freight costs while facilitating commercial transactions.
Pakistan's exports reached approximately $26.9 billion between July 2024 and April 2025, reflecting a 6.4 percent increase compared to the same period in the previous year, according to the Pakistan Business Council (PBC). Leading export sectors included textiles, food products, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, and leather goods.
ICCI Senior Vice President Abdul Rehman Siddiqui termed the project a 'milestone' on Pakistan's logistics and export landscape, according to the APP report.
'The synergy between NLC's regional capabilities and DP World's global network would provide immense opportunities for Pakistani businesses,' he said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
an hour ago
- Arab News
Pakistan approves industrial estate on steel mills land, $10 million upgrade for state TV English channel
KARACHI: Pakistan's top economic decision-making body has approved plans to build an industrial estate on the land of the country's largest state-owned steel producer, part of a package of measures aimed at boosting exports, investment and climate diplomacy, the finance division said this week. Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM), located in Karachi, was once the country's biggest industrial complex but has been largely dormant since 2015 due to financial losses and mismanagement. Successive governments have sought to privatize or repurpose its land and assets. The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), which oversees key economic policy, said turning the site into an industrial estate would generate jobs and attract investment. 'The ECC approved the development of an Industrial Estate on the land of Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) in Karachi, aimed at boosting industrial activity, generating employment opportunities, and attracting investment,' the Finance Division said in a statement after a meeting chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Wednesday evening. The ECC also approved measures to support Pakistan's leather industry, including scrapping the requirement for health quarantine certificates on imports and exports to 'enhance its competitiveness in international markets.' Another major decision was the allocation of a technical supplementary grant of 2.8 billion rupees ($10 million) for the state-run Pakistan Television Corporation to upgrade its English-language news channel. The committee said the goal was to 'improve broadcast quality and expand outreach to global audiences,' while urging the channel to develop a business plan to reduce reliance on federal subsidies. In addition, a separate grant was approved for the Ministry of Climate Change to strengthen its participation at the upcoming COP-30 climate summit in Brazil, reflecting Pakistan's push to maintain visibility in global climate talks after championing the 'Loss and Damage' agenda in 2022. The Finance Division said the ECC chair concluded the meeting by stressing 'the importance of timely and effective implementation of these decisions to ensure their intended economic and social benefits.'
Arab News
2 hours ago
- Arab News
Pakistan buys about 55,000 tons white sugar in tender, traders say
HAMBURG, Aug 13 : Pakistan's state trading agency TCP is believed to have purchased about 55,000 metric tons of white sugar in an international tender seeking up to 100,000 tons which closed this week, European traders said on Wednesday. Some 30,000 tons of medium-grade sugar was said to have been purchased from Al Khaleej Sugar at $586.00 a ton cost and freight included (c&f) while 25,000 tons of fine grade was bought from Dreyfus at around $580 a ton c&f. One other tender participant has been asked to modify its offer and another award is still possible this week, traders said. Pakistan's government has approved plans to import 500,000 tons of sugar to help to maintain price stability after retail sugar prices rose sharply. Offers in the tender were reported on Monday.
Al Arabiya
4 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
US to explore cooperation with Pakistan over critical minerals, hydrocarbons
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington looked forward to exploring cooperation with Pakistan on critical minerals and hydrocarbons, with his comments coming in a statement issued by the State Department on Pakistan's Independence Day. Why it's important Washington and Islamabad hailed a trade deal last month, which Pakistan said would result in lower tariffs and increased investment. Pakistan's Commerce Minister Jam Kamal has said Islamabad will offer US businesses opportunities to invest in mining projects primarily in the southwestern Balochistan province through joint ventures with local companies, providing concessions such as lease grants. The province is home to key mining projects, including Reko Diq, run by mining firm Barrick Gold and believed to be one of the world's largest gold and copper mines. Key quotes 'We look forward to exploring new areas of economic cooperation, including critical minerals and hydrocarbons, and fostering dynamic business partnerships,' Rubio said late on Wednesday. 'The United States deeply appreciates Pakistan's engagement on counterterrorism and trade.' Context Before President Donald Trump's administration, Islamabad's relationship with Washington had cooled in recent years, as the US drew closer to Pakistan's traditional adversary India to counter China's rise, among other factors. Washington also resented Islamabad over Afghanistan, especially under former President Joe Biden's administration, which oversaw a chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan and the takeover of the country by the Taliban insurgency that Washington accused Islamabad of backing. Pakistan denied the charge. In recent months, Washington's ties with Islamabad have improved. Trump took credit for a ceasefire between India and Pakistan after the Asian neighbors engaged in hostilities in May following an April attack in India-administered Kashmir. Pakistan praised Trump while India maintained that New Delhi and Islamabad should resolve their issues directly without outside involvement. Counterterrorism talks The US and Pakistan held the latest round of counterterrorism talks in Islamabad on Tuesday. Washington has designated separatist militant group Balochistan Liberation Army as a 'foreign terrorist organization.' 'The US-Pakistan counterterrorism dialogue joint statement is one of the most positive and effusive I've seen from these two countries on CT for quite a few years,' Michael Kugelman, a Washington-based South Asia analyst and writer for Foreign Policy magazine, said.
