Business Recorder
KARACHI: Pakistan to hold a single-country trade expo in South Africa to boost economic engagement with Africa. The Pakistan SADC Chamber Trade Federation (PSCTF) has announced plans to organise a two-day Pakistan Single Country Trade Expo and an international business conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, by the end of August or during the first week of September 2026. The mega trade event is expected to feature around 100 exhibitors and an equal number of Pakistani business delegates, while more than 1,000 African business leaders, investors, importers, and representatives of companies are anticipated to participate. The initiative aims at to strengthen trade ties between Pakistan and African countries, particularly member states of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Speaking at a business breakfast hosted by PSCTF at Karachi Gymkhana in honour of Chairman Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, PSCTF Pakistan Chapter Central Convener Syed Moizuddin said that Africa, especially South Africa, represents one of the most promising emerging markets for Pakistani products and services. Also read: Beyond traditional markets: Pakistan’s untapped export frontier in Africa He expressed confidence that Pakistani businesses would receive an encouraging response through the expo, which will showcase the country’s industrial, commercial, and export potential. The event will also provide extensive opportunities for business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) engagements, with strong prospects for the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) across various sectors. The gathering was attended by business leaders, diplomats, political and social figures, and members of the media. Among the notable participants were MNA Syed Hafeezuddin of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), PM Youth Programme Coordinator for Sindh Dr Fahad Shafiq, PSCTF Patron-in-Chief Rafiq Suleman, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Senior Vice President Saqib Fayyaz Magoon, Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD) Chairman Hassan Bakhshi, and PSCTF Sindh Chapter President Muhammad Shoaib Qadri. Syed Moizuddin highlighted the expanding scope of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, emphasising its role in producing a new generation of entrepreneurs and skilled professionals capable of competing in regional and international markets. He said the programme is helping strengthen startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are vital for sustainable economic growth. Referring to the rapid global adoption of artificial intelligence, he stressed the need for Pakistan to redesign its economic and educational policies to prepare a technologically skilled workforce capable of supporting the country’s transition toward a digital economy. “Pakistan must enhance its institutional capacity and embrace digital transformation to achieve its long-term economic objectives and remain competitive in the global marketplace,” he said. Moizuddin further stated that PSCTF is pursuing a multidimensional strategy to project Pakistan’s economic potential globally, with particular focus on South Africa and other African markets. He noted that the federation recently organised the Pakistan-Africa Trade and Investment Conference 2026 in Karachi, which brought together policymakers, diplomats, financial experts, and business leaders to explore avenues for trade, investment, and economic cooperation among Pakistan, African countries, and regional partners including Iran. He said Pakistan possesses significant export potential, while Africa offers vast opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships. According to him, strategic economic cooperation in trade, industrial development, banking, technology transfer, and investment can generate sustainable economic opportunities for all participating countries. Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Chairman Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan assured the business community of the federal government’s full support in efforts to expand Pakistan’s footprint in international markets, particularly in emerging African economies. He stated that empowering the country’s youth—who constitute nearly 60 percent of Pakistan’s population—remains a central pillar of government policy. He invited the business community to provide input for making youth-focused initiatives more effective and result-oriented. “We are placing youth on the fast track to entrepreneurship, business growth, and economic development,” he said, adding that he is visiting cities, trade organizations, and academic institutions across the country to build partnerships with key stakeholders. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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