Moaaz Manzoor

Pakistan’s Commercial Mission in Jeddah has stepped up its trade diplomacy this year, staging multiple investment summits, exhibitions, and networking forums that have reinvigorated bilateral business engagement under ‘Vision 2030’.

According to documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the 1st and 2nd Pakistan Investment Opportunities Summits and Smart Expos, hosted in May and November 2024, drew Saudi investors from the tourism, aviation, and construction sectors.

The momentum continued with the “Made in Pakistan” Exhibition in February 2025, which showcased a wide range of products, from apparel and auto parts to processed food, and was paired with the Pak–Saudi Business Forum, drawing over 500 high-level participants, including senior ministers and investment officials.

The mission also coordinated a 13-member Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) delegation that held meetings with top Saudi retail chains such as Danube, Panda, and Manuel. The visit included a Biryani Festival, where Pakistani rice and spices took center stage, earning wide praise from Saudi guests and foreign diplomats.

Meanwhile, Saudi buyers have reciprocated by attending key Pakistani trade exhibitions such as FoodAg 2024, TEXPO 2024, and HEMS 2025, reflecting mutual commercial confidence.

The Commercial Section also mediated six trade dispute cases involving shipment delays and payments, most of which were resolved amicably through chamber-to-chamber coordination, a practice officials say has improved business trust.

By coupling B2B matchmaking with regulatory support and dispute resolution, the Jeddah Mission has moved beyond traditional trade promotion. Its evolving strategy now emphasizes sectoral depth, exporter facilitation, and direct investor engagement – a shift seen as crucial for Pakistan’s export diversification and stronger integration into the Saudi market.

Credit: INP-WealthPk