ISLAMABAD, Mar 12: Pakistan and Qatar have significant potential to expand bilateral trade through targeted investment in energy, agriculture, and value-added industries, while improving export standards and supply reliability, according to economic experts.
Analysts say strengthening export readiness in key sectors and building structured business partnerships could help Pakistan capture greater market share in Qatar and the wider Gulf region.
Energy sector offers investment opportunities
Speaking to Wealth Pakistan, Zaeem Hassan Mehmood, senior researcher at Greenwich University, said Pakistan’s crude oil refining capacity is around 450,000 barrels per day but remains underutilised because of outdated infrastructure and limited deep conversion capabilities.
He said this gap creates opportunities for investment from Qatar in refinery modernisation and new processing technologies. Upgrading refining facilities could improve fuel quality, meet domestic energy demand, and allow Pakistan to export higher-value refined products.
Agriculture and food exports
Experts also pointed to strong prospects for cooperation in agriculture and food trade. Mehmood said improved cold-chain systems and quality enhancements could increase Pakistan’s exports of rice, fruits, and halal meat to Qatar and other Gulf markets.
He added that exporters must align their products with sanitary and quality standards set by the Gulf Cooperation Council to strengthen competitiveness in the region.
Technology adoption, including artificial intelligence for supply-chain optimisation and product traceability, could further support export growth.
Expanding market access
Namra Saleem, research associate at the Policy Research and Advisory Council, said Qatar’s dependence on food imports creates investment potential in Pakistan’s agri-food and livestock sectors.
She identified bovine meat, onions, rice, and citrus as products with strong export potential, while cement, construction materials, and value-added textiles could also expand through joint ventures and branding partnerships.
Saleem noted that Pakistan could tap an estimated $227 million export opportunity in the Qatari market identified by the International Trade Centre if exporters strengthen certification, traceability, and compliance with Gulf standards.
She added that contract farming, improved logistics, and retail-ready packaging tailored for Arabic-speaking markets could help ensure reliable supply and stronger distribution in Qatar.
Strengthening trade facilitation
Muhammad Zain said Qatar could generate quick economic impact by investing in sectors where Pakistan already has export capacity but needs expansion.
These sectors include food processing, technical textiles, digital services, pharmaceuticals, and construction materials such as cement and ceramics.
Zain emphasised the importance of meeting Gulf-specific quality, halal certification, and packaging requirements while strengthening supply chains and delivery timelines.
To accelerate trade deals, he recommended creating sector-specific working groups, establishing a fast-track facilitation desk for Qatari investors within Pakistan’s trade missions, and organising matchmaking events connecting Qatari buyers with verified Pakistani exporters.
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