Businessman for prioritising Kuwait as emerging market

According to Business Recorder, Mian Zahid Hussain has proposed a two-tier export approach for the Gulf Cooperation Council. The first tier calls for deeper business footprint in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, while the second would bring separate recovery plans for Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait. He wants Kuwait treated as an emerging market, with trade delegations, buyer-seller meetings and promotion of selected Pakistani products.

He cited figures showing Pakistan's exports to the GCC rose 2.1 percent in January-July 2026, to USD 1.944 billion from USD 1.904 billion a year earlier. Exports to the UAE climbed 5.9 percent to USD 1.280 billion, while Saudi Arabia took USD 401.1 million, up 1.4 percent. Kuwait posted the steepest percentage rise among GCC markets, 14.7 percent, although it made up only 3.7 percent of the GCC total. The statement said these gains came despite uncertainty linked to the US-Iran war.

Monthly exports peaked at USD 323.2 million in February 2026 before sliding to USD 240.7 million in May. July shipments of USD 290.3 million were 11.9 percent above June and 4.7 percent higher than July 2025, yet still about 10.2 percent below the February high. Sustaining the rebound would require growth over several months, the businessman argued.