Pakistan's Nexa Robots seeks deeper Chinese tech partnership

Pakistan and China are expanding technology ties in robotics, according to Mettis Global, with Nexa Robots looking for closer work with Chinese manufacturers and technology partners. The company wants to build in-house expertise in software, AI and integration for service robots. Its founder and CEO, H.M. Hafeez, told China Economic Net that stronger collaboration, access to critical components and solutions suited to the local market are his most pressing needs.

He urged Chinese partners to co-develop products with local firms and said investment or strategic funding could help Nexa grow and offer leasing or robot-as-a-service payment options. The remarks came as the World Robot Conference 2026 opened in Beijing on August 19, an event expected to host more than 300 exhibitors. Nexa distributes Pudu Robotics products in Pakistan, and a Minhaj University Lahore installation has used service robots in its admissions office and library since September 2023.

Hafeez described the market as still early, pointing to low labour costs, economic uncertainty and reluctance to invest that make businesses hesitant about automation. He said Nexa has moved into paid deployments with some customers in hospitality, education and other service sectors, without disclosing numbers. Localisation has started in software and AI, while key hardware remains sourced from China and initial production may shift there after prototypes are validated locally.