KEY POINTS
- Pakistan’s services exports to Kuwait rise 40% to $23.6 million in Jan–Nov 2025
- Growth comes as Pakistan seeks to diversify exports beyond goods
- Bilateral ties feature deep labour and professional exchanges
- Analysts say Gulf markets, increasingly, vital to Pakistan’s external sector
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s services exports to Kuwait surged by 40 per cent between January and November 2025, official data shows, offering a rare bright spot in the country’s export landscape as policymakers push to broaden economic engagement with Gulf states.
The value of services exported climbed to $23.6 million in the first eleven months of 2025, up from $16.7 million in 2024 and $15 million in 2023. In 2022, these exports were reported at $12.6 million.
The growth reflects expanding demand for Pakistani professional services, labour deployment and logistics support in Kuwait, where almost 95,000 Pakistani nationals reside, primarily in the skilled and unskilled sectors.
Diplomatic ties between Islamabad and Kuwait date back to October 1963 and encompass cooperation in multiple international fora, including the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
Economic analysts say that services exports, covering IT, finance, transport, health, education and other business services, are becoming increasingly important for Pakistan. The traditional goods exports struggle amid regional trade deficits.
According to the latest national data, Pakistan’s overall services exports have shown positive momentum this fiscal year, with sectors like information technology posting double-digit gains.
Beyond trade in services, Pakistani and Kuwaiti officials have moved to strengthen broader economic links.
Talks are underway on direct shipping links between Pakistan’s Gwadar Port and Kuwait’s Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port.
Similarly, cooperation in health services and logistics has been highlighted by Pakistan’s ambassador in Kuwait.
Kuwaiti health facilities also employ thousands of Pakistani doctors, nurses and medical professionals, a sign of deepening people-to-people economic ties.
Government sources stated that the Gulf region remains a priority for export diversification, remittance inflows and labour market engagement, even as broader trade balances with Middle Eastern markets show structural challenges due to high energy import dependence.
Officials see the increase in services exports to Kuwait as part of Pakistan’s broader effort to reduce reliance on limited traditional markets and enhance economic resilience through expanded regional linkages.
