ISLAMABAD: Pakistani exporters and manufacturers are set to expand their global footprint through “Pakistan Mart” in Dubai, Pakistani state media reported, with the initiative aimed at granting Pakistani products direct access to “high-demand” markets.
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.
