LAHORE: Pakistan’s High Commissioner-designate to Tanzania, Hasnain Yousaf, met with Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Faheem-ur-Rehman Saigol to discuss ways to strengthen trade and economic relations between Pakistan and African countries, increase exports, and explore new markets.
Senior Vice President Tanveer Ahmed, Vice President Khurram Lodhi, Executive Committee Member Nadeem Ansari, and other chamber officials were also present at the meeting.
Speaking on the occasion, LCCI President Saigol said Pakistan must focus on new and emerging markets to increase its exports. He said Africa was a large and fast-growing market that offered significant opportunities for Pakistani products, especially auto parts, engineering goods, and other industrial products.
He said finding new export destinations had become essential due to the challenges facing Pakistan’s exports.
He also highlighted the potential for exporting skilled and professional manpower to African countries which could create employment opportunities and increase remittances.
The LCCI president stated that around 60 percent of Pakistan’s remittances came from the Gulf countries, and changing regional conditions made it important to explore alternative markets and opportunities.
African and American countries import goods worth billions of dollars annually, and Pakistan should work to secure a larger share of those markets, he added.
He requested the high commissioner-designate to support efforts aimed at boosting Pakistani exports, strengthening business links, and organizing single-country exhibitions.
He said the Lahore Chamber had been actively working to help businesses access new international markets.
Hasnain Yousaf said the government of Pakistan was giving special attention to increasing exports and exploring new markets.
He described Africa as an emerging market with strong business potential for Pakistani companies.
He assured the business community of full support in promoting trade, investment, business cooperation, and employment opportunities for Pakistani professionals and workers in Tanzania and other African countries.
Hasnain Yousaf said through teamwork and continuous engagement, Pakistan and African countries could significantly increase bilateral trade, and he pledged his full support to the Lahore Chamber and Pakistan’s business community.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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