Rice, textiles, pharma eyed for export growth

Federal Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan welcomed export growth in several emerging markets, according to a statement released on Tuesday, and asked officials to build on that momentum. He directed the Foreign Trade Wings to pursue new openings for rice, textiles, farm produce, pharmaceuticals, processed food and light engineering products and services. The Express Tribune reported that the push centres on market diversification and stronger business-to-business links.

Khan asked the wings to draft country-specific plans covering priority goods, barriers to market access, logistics and banking problems, potential buyers and pending institutional engagements. He stressed that trade agreements must deliver balanced and commercially meaningful gains for Pakistan, with existing arrangements reviewed regularly. Pending Joint Trade Committee and Joint Working Group meetings are to be expedited.

Khan said Pakistani exporters have shown solid potential across traditional and new markets, and that the priority is removing barriers, diversifying shipments and turning each trade contact into measurable economic gains. The directive signals official attention on export-linked sectors such as textiles and pharmaceuticals, although the statement set no targets or timelines.