Mian Zahid Hussain, President of the Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum, reported a 2.1 percent increase in Pakistan’s exports to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries during January-July 2026, totaling $1.944 billion compared to $1.904 billion in the same period of 2025. This boost, despite the ongoing US-Iran conflict, is significant and reflects the Gulf’s importance in Pakistan’s trade.

Exports to the UAE rose by 5.9 percent to $1.280 billion, contributing approximately $71.1 million to the overall increase. The UAE accounted for 65.9 percent of Pakistan’s GCC exports, while Saudi Arabia contributed 20.6 percent. Exports to Saudi Arabia increased modestly by 1.4 percent to $401.1 million, while Kuwait saw a notable 14.7 percent increase. However, exports to Oman, Qatar, and Bahrain declined by about 4.5 percent, indicating a need for stronger engagement with these markets.

Monthly export performance was volatile, peaking at $323.2 million in February before declining in subsequent months, though a recovery began in June. Mian Zahid Hussain praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir for enhancing diplomatic and economic ties with Gulf nations, emphasizing the importance of turning defense agreements into export opportunities.

He recommended a two-tier export strategy: strengthening Pakistan’s commercial presence in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, while developing targeted recovery plans for Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait, with a particular focus on emerging markets like Kuwait. A detailed product-level assessment is also needed to drive growth effectively.