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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will develop a nationwide network of modern exhibition and display centers aimed at boosting exports, strengthening local industries and attracting foreign investment, the commerce ministry said on Thursday. 

The move is part of a broader strategy to modernize Pakistan’s trade infrastructure and bring it in line with international standards, as the South Asian nation seeks to deepen integration into global supply chains and position itself as a competitive hub for manufacturing and services. Officials say the new facilities will support small and medium enterprises, showcase domestic products to overseas buyers and provide a platform for international trade fairs and industry events.

“The first priority is the establishment of an Expo-cum-Display Center in Islamabad that will provide a world-class trade and exhibition venue in the federal capital,” Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan said in a statement, adding that “securing new land for the Quetta Expo Center, preferably near the airport to ensure easy access for foreign visitors and investors,” was the second key focus.

Potential sites for the Islamabad facility include the Pakistan Sports Complex, where existing infrastructure could help reduce construction time and costs. In Quetta, the government is considering locations with direct access to transportation links to better serve international exhibitors and business delegations.

If fully implemented, the plan would mark a significant expansion of Pakistan’s trade promotion infrastructure. The government hopes the new centers will not only expand export opportunities but also attract foreign investors seeking to partner with Pakistani firms in sectors ranging from textiles and agriculture to engineering goods and information technology.

The Pakistan Expo Center (Private) Limited, which presented the plan to the commerce ministry this week, said the initial design would be prepared under an open bid model, with construction to begin once funding is secured through the Export Development Fund, the federal Public Sector Development Programme, or other approved financing channels.

Letters have been sent to all four provincial governments and the Capital Development Authority to identify land parcels for small-scale centers. Sialkot and Faisalabad have already offered sites, while proposals from Sukkur, Hyderabad and Quetta are under review. 

The concept includes building multipurpose halls in secondary cities to host trade delegations and industry events, drawing on international best practices including modular designs used in Germany and other major exhibition markets.

The government also plans to restructure the board of Pakistan Expo Center to strengthen governance, improve decision-making and accelerate delivery of the projects. 

Commerce Minister Khan said the initiative would help energize local industry and create new opportunities for foreign investment by combining Pakistan’s low-cost manufacturing base with exhibition infrastructure built to global standards.

He directed the federal industries ministry to submit detailed proposals on key industrial clusters and priority sectors from all provinces within a week so that final decisions on construction and funding could move forward.

ISLAMABAD: Interest in Pakistan’s fintech and crypto markets is rising, with more than a dozen Saudi companies signaling plans to invest after engaging Pakistani firms at a major financial technology gathering in Riyadh last week, according to the Pakistan Fintech Network (PFN) on Wednesday.

The Money20/20 Middle East conference, held in the Saudi capital from September 15 to 17, was aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which seeks to foster innovation in financial services, strengthen collaboration between regulators, investors and startups and position Riyadh as a global fintech hub. The event brought together more than 450 brands, 600 investors and 350 speakers from over 40 countries.

According to PFN, more than 25 Pakistani fintech firms showcased their solutions at the forum, signing agreements and exploring opportunities in the Saudi market.

“They are interested in crypto exchanges, loan-lending fintech companies and financial institutions to tap the Pakistani market,” PFN CEO Fahad Sajjad told Arab News.

He said the “highly encouraging” response reflected Saudi demand for innovation and added that investors were closely watching the development of Pakistan’s crypto framework.

“The Saudi market is hungry for innovation and offers vast potential that Pakistani fintech firms can tap into through collaborations,” Sajjad said.

Among the announcements tied to the event, Pakistani fintech startup ABHI unveiled a partnership with TRAY, a Saudi cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) and business management platform.

The agreement introduces Earned Wage Access (EWA) services to ����ֱ��’s fast-growing food and beverage sector.

EWA is a financial solution that enables employees to withdraw part of their earned salary at any time before payday, eliminating the need to wait until the end of the month. Under the deal, ABHI’s technology will be integrated into TRAY’s enterprise POS ecosystem, covering restaurants, cafés and cloud kitchens across the Kingdom.

“The response at Money20/20 was amazing,” Omair Ansari, ABHI’s CEO and co-founder, said. “We signed eight memorandums of understanding in total, and TRAY has already gone live with ABHI, with more big names to follow soon.”

“This will empower employees with instant access to their salaries, helping reduce turnover and strengthen retention in one of the Kingdom’s most dynamic industries,” he added.

Founded in 2021, ABHI offers EWA, payroll solutions and SME financing. It has already expanded into the UAE, ����ֱ�� and Bangladesh while attracting major international investment.

The company entered the Saudi market last year through a partnership with Alraedah, a principal SME financing institution in the Kingdom.

“Soon more names will be going live in the upcoming weeks or in the start of October,” Ansari said.