Small and medium-sized enterprises in Pakistan are urging the government to facilitate business-to-business meetings with African partners, citing severe disruptions to traditional export channels in the Gulf region.
The call for intervention comes as Red Sea shipping instability continues to hamper trade flows, forcing exporters to seek alternative markets to sustain revenue streams.
The request highlights the growing pressure on Pakistan's export sector, which has long relied on Gulf Cooperation Council countries as a primary destination.
With logistics costs rising and delivery timelines becoming unpredictable, SMEs argue that state support is essential to establish new commercial footholds in Africa, a market with growing demand but historically weaker trade ties with South Asia.
This development aligns with a broader strategic pivot by Pakistani authorities to diversify export destinations amid intensifying global trade friction.
The government has previously signaled its intent to reduce dependency on single-region markets, a theme that has gained urgency as regional instability persists.