KEY POINTS
- Pakistan’s first-ever solo exhibition in Jeddah
- The exhibition attracts Saudi investors
- Pakistan’s Commerce Minister vows to boost economic ties with Saudi Arabia
JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia’s Port City of Jeddah is currently hosting a “Made in Pakistan” exhibition to exploit the immense potential of Pakistan-Saudi Arabia ties and promote business-to-business contacts.
Pakistan’s Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan inaugurated the country’s first-ever solo exhibition in Jeddah participated by 137 companies from Pakistan. The event will run from February 5 to 7.
Addressing the opening session of the event, the minister called the event a milestone in Pakistan’s Middle East Reconnect Strategy, adding that Pakistan is committed to boosting its economic ties with Saudi Arabia.
“This policy serves as a bridge for economic diplomacy, fostering business-to-business interactions and paving the way for long-term economic cooperation,” he said.
He highlighted that the “Made in Pakistan” exhibition had brought together a wide display of products from various industries with a special focus on sectors like sports goods, light engineering goods, textiles, food, construction materials, and services sector.
“Our government is dedicated to fostering an investment-driven environment, and Saudi Arabia, with its Vision 2030, is ideally positioned to benefit from these opportunities,” he said.
Despite their significant depth and strength, Pakistan-Saudi economic ties hold vast untapped potential for mutual benefit. With a market of 240 million people, abundant resources, and a strategic geographical location, Pakistan offers diverse opportunities for investment and trade.
Recently, 34 memorandums of understanding worth $2.8 billion were signed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia under government-to-government initiatives, with additional proposals under discussion in sectors such as energy, mining, agriculture, and human resource development.
As the largest employment market for Pakistani manpower, Saudi Arabia presents growing opportunities for collaboration in human resource development, especially with upcoming international events like the World Expo and FIFA World Cup.
Ibrahim Almubarak, Assistant Minister, Ministry of Investment Saudi Arabia, Abdul Aziz Alsakran Deputy Governor General of Foreign Trade, and Chairperson of Council of Saudi Chambers Hassan Moejeb Alhwaiz were among Saudi business leaders who were present on the occasion.
Pakistan-Saudi Arabia discuss economic cooperation
Pakistan’s Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan also held exclusive meetings with key Saudi officials to discuss strengthening economic ties and expanding trade and investment opportunities between the two nations on the sidelines of the ‘Made in Pakistan’ Exhibition and Business Forum in Jeddah.
During a meeting with Abdul Aziz Alsakran, Deputy Governor of the General Authority of Foreign Trade, both leaders emphasised the significance of enhancing bilateral trade and investment.
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In another high-level discussion, Jam Kamal Khan met with Hassan Moejeb Al-Huwaizy, Chairman of the Federation of Saudi Chambers, to explore avenues for institutional collaboration.
The Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to deepening economic partnerships with Saudi Arabia and strengthening the role of business chambers in driving bilateral trade.
Acknowledging the Federation of Saudi Chambers’ role in promoting economic cooperation, the Minister stressed the importance of regular, targeted Business-to-Business (B2B) engagements. He suggested organizing structured networking activities between private sector stakeholders from both countries to explore new trade and investment opportunities.
