External Sector

LAHORE: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Pakistan’s vital textile and automotive sectors are intensifying efforts to adopt greener, more sustainable practices following an initiative by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Employers’ Federation of Pakistan (EFP). A one-day session in Lahore, titled “Just Transition and Climate Change: Driving Business Sustainability and Global Market Readiness for SMEs,” brought together industry representatives and SME owners. The event provided practical guidance on Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) integration, aiming to reduce costs and boost competitiveness. Participants explored how aligning with global standards, such as the EU Green Deal, can open new markets and improve operational efficiency. ILO Pakistan Country Director Geir Tonstol emphasized that sustainability is an “investment in long-term competitiveness and resilience,” stressing that a Just Transition prepares industries and workers for the opportunities of a green economy. The interactive session offered tailored tools for small enterprises to integrate sustainability and develop cost-effective compliance strategies. Several SMEs expressed interest in piloting ILO’s Just Transition assessment tools. The EFP, through Ghulam Mustafa Tabassum, reaffirmed its commitment to helping members meet evolving global buyer expectations, ensuring a greener, more resilient, and inclusive future for Pakistan’s key industrial sectors.

Islamabad: The federal cabinet has approved the launch of a passenger and cargo ferry service between Gwadar and Oman, announced Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry on Friday. A Memorandum of Understanding will soon be signed, with an Omani delegation visiting Pakistan to finalize details. The initiative stems from a July 2025 meeting between Chaudhry and Oman’s Ambassador Fahad bin Sulaiman bin Khalaf Al Kharusi, focusing on enhanced economic ties.Chaudhry projected Pakistan could earn $10–15 billion annually from related maritime operations. Gwadar’s exports are expected to surpass $850 million yearly, driven by $645 million in value-added fisheries and $200–205 million from dates. Oman gains efficient access to Central Asia. In 2024, Pakistan’s exports to Oman hit $224 million, poised for growth via upgraded ports and cooperation.Pakistan issued its first international ferry license, enabling operations with GCC nations including Oman, UAE, Bahrain, and Iran. This framework encourages private investment. With 250,000–320,000 Pakistanis in Oman (up to 360,000 including workers), the service will ease travel and business links.

Islamabad The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has unveiled fresh employment prospects for qualified Pakistani female nurses, targeting its burgeoning healthcare sector through a partnership with a leading Saudi medical group. The Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC) is spearheading recruitment for “special nurse” positions, emphasizing skilled professionals under 40 years old with a four-year BScN degree (16 years of education) or equivalent from accredited institutions.Priority goes to candidates who have cleared the Prometric licensing exam, fast-tracking them to direct interviews. The role entails a seven-day, 12-hour shift schedule—five to six hours of hands-on patient care plus on-call standby—with a base salary of SAR 4,500 monthly. Opting for a six-day week deducts SAR 500.Perks include complimentary shared housing (furnished, AC-equipped with en-suite baths), round-trip economy flights from Pakistan to Jeddah, and workplace transport. Annual leave stands at 21 days, with biennial return tickets for contract renewals. Applicants must register via the OEC portal at https://oec.gov.pk/, uploading a Rs1,000 bank challan alongside their form. Deadline: November 17, 2025. This initiative aligns with Saudi Vision 2030’s healthcare expansion, offering Pakistani nurses stable, high-earning opportunities amid domestic job scarcity. OEC officials urge swift applications to capitalize on the demand, projecting hundreds of hires to boost remittances and female workforce participation.

Islamabad In a bid to safeguard migrant workers from exploitation, the Pakistani government has unveiled a compulsory digital registration system for citizens pursuing employment abroad, effective November 19. The policy, spearheaded by the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, ties all foreign work permits to a centralized online platform, ensuring no approvals are granted without prior enrolment.Under the rule, applicants must submit personal identification, travel itineraries, educational credentials, and prospective job details before departing. This primarily impacts remittances-dependent workers heading to Gulf nations like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman, where thousands seek better prospects annually.Officials emphasise the measure’s role in curbing illegal migration, bogus job schemes, and human trafficking. “By pre-verifying information, we foster transparency and protection, not barriers,” a ministry spokesperson stated. The initiative is projected to affect over a million Pakistanis yearly, many young family providers.While lauded for enhancing traceability, critics worry about digital access hurdles in rural areas. Authorities advise early registration via the portal to sidestep visa delays, underscoring a commitment to ethical labor migration amid economic pressures.Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and based on available reports. The image is used for reference. The incident shown in the image is not real and is Ai generated

KARACHI Consul General of Sri Lanka P.K. Sanjeewa Pattiwila, while underscoring the need to look beyond the existing trade basket and explore untapped sectors for collaboration, stated that the private sectors of Sri Lanka and Pakistan can particularly thrive in agri-based industries, seafood, spices, animal feed, value-added seafood, construction, and information technology.Speaking at a meeting during his visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), Sri Lankan Envoy noted that while the balance of trade currently favors Pakistan, there exists tremendous potential for Sri Lankan entrepreneurs to explore and fully leverage the opportunities available under the FTA. “Our trade portfolio is diverse, comprising tea, coconut products, MDF boards, rubber products, and surgical goods from Sri Lanka, while Pakistan exports woven fabrics, cement, pharmaceuticals, rice, cereals, and dry fish to Sri Lanka”, he added.President KCCI Muhammad Rehan Hanif, Senior Vice President Muhammad Raza, Vice President Muhammad Arif Lakhani, Former President Shamim Ahmed Firpo, Chairman Diplomatic Missions & Embassies and Liaison Subcommittee Ahsan Arshad Sheikh, KCCI Executive Members were also present on the occasion.Sri Lankan CG observed that for over seven decades, relations between Sri Lanka and Pakistan have been guided by mutual respect, deep understanding, and excellent cooperation. “While our formal diplomatic relations were established 77 years ago, our historical connection goes beyond that, rooted in shared culture, religion, and traditions”, he noted.“Our bilateral relations today remain constructive, solid, and longstanding across the political, economic, cultural, and security spheres. At every crucial juncture in history, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have stood by each other with unwavering solidarity”, he emphasized, adding that Pakistan continues to be Sri Lanka’s second-largest trading partner in the South Asian region.Referring to tourism, he invited the people of Pakistan to select Sri Lanka as their preferred travel destination, while encouraging Sri Lankan tourists to also visit Pakistan to experience its scenic beauty and cultural richness.Discussing Sri Lanka’s economic outlook, he stated, “The investment climate in Sri Lanka has become increasingly attractive due to a liberalized foreign investment regime, supportive government policies, strategic location, and an educated and adaptable workforce. Sri Lanka is now recognized as one of the most promising investment destinations in South Asia, with a strong and resilient economy projected for growth.”While affirming his commitment to enhancing bilateral trade and investment through joint promotional programs, Sri Lankan CG invited business community to attend the forthcoming Economic and Investment Summit 2025, organized by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce at Shangri-La Colombo on December 2–3, 2025, to witness how Sri Lanka is advancing its investment agenda.

BEIJINGPakistan is set to present a diverse range of export products while advancing its digital cooperation goals at the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE), running from November 5 to 10.With more than 20 participating companies, Pakistan will showcase traditional specialties including handicrafts, marble, furniture, apparel, carpets and jewelry, demonstrating the breadth of its manufacturing capabilities. Pakistan’s continuous presence at the expo reflects the nation’s trade ambitions. According to Pakistani Consul General in Shanghai, Shehzad Ahmad Khan, “Pakistani companies are increasingly opting for larger, customized stands to maximize their market impact, which reflects growing confidence in the CIIE platform.” While the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) maintains its support for small and medium enterprises through the national pavilion, the rising private sector involvement signals a maturing business approach. Among the notable participants is Winsa, a Pakistani jewelry brand with operations in China, celebrating its seventh year at CIIE. The diplomat highlighted their special showcase: “This year, they are exhibiting a natural kunzite certified by the Guinness World Records – demonstrating the unique treasures Pakistan has to offer.” Beyond traditional trade, Pakistan is actively pursuing a digital transformation partnership with China. The consul general pointed to the successful B2B investment conference held in Beijing in September this year where numerous memorandums of understanding and joint venture intentions were signed between Pakistani and Chinese ICT companies, especially from the Yangtze River Delta region, CEN reported. “These digital transformation initiatives are progressing rapidly, with full implementation expected within one to two years,” he stated, adding that Pakistan firmly believes in China’s leadership in technological innovation. Recent economic data have confirmed the strengthening of China-Pakistan trade relations. During the first quarter of FY2025-2026, Pakistan’s exports to the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region surged 21.1% year-on-year to reach $297 million, with total trade with the region standing at $2.69 billion. Noting this commercial momentum, the consul general stressed that robust economic ties should be further underpinned by strong people-to-people ties. “Trade and investment cannot flourish without human interaction,” he affirmed, outlining a full calendar of cultural exchanges in Shanghai including fashion shows, music festivals, film events and culinary promotions.