Pakistan's Trading Partners

2026 Syllabus Objectives

By the end of this topic, you should be able to:

  1. Name and locate Pakistan's main trading partners, and name the goods Pakistan exported to them or imported from them
  2. Understand the factors which may promote or hinder trade with other countries, and explain why it is difficult for Pakistan as a developing country to maintain or increase its share of trade with other countries
  3. Understand the factors that may promote and limit trade, including trading blocs, trade barriers and currency exchange rates

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1. Pakistan's Main Trading Partners

Pakistan trades with over 100 countries around the world. However, most of Pakistan's trade happens with just a few important partners. Understanding who these partners are and what we trade with them is essential.

Major Import Partners

Imports are goods and services that Pakistan buys from other countries. When we import, foreign exchange (foreign money) leaves Pakistan.

Here are Pakistan's main import partners and what Pakistan buys from them:

  • China: Machinery, electrical appliances, stationery
  • USA: Machinery, vegetable oil, wheat
  • Japan: Machinery, electrical appliances
  • UK: Machinery, electrical appliances
  • Eastern Europe: Machinery, electrical appliances
  • Middle East Countries (like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait): Mineral oil (petroleum)
  • Malaysia: Edible oil
  • Sri Lanka: Tea

About 40% of all Pakistan's imports come from these key partners.

Major Export Partners

Exports are goods and services that Pakistan sells to other countries. When we export, we earn foreign exchange.

Here are Pakistan's main export partners and what Pakistan sells to them:

  • USA: Carpets, rugs, surgical goods, sports goods
  • UK: Raw cotton
  • Eastern Europe: Cotton cloth
  • Middle East Countries (like Saudi Arabia, UAE): Spices, rice, ready-made garments
  • Japan: Fish and fish products
  • China: Cotton yarn
  • Germany: Cotton-related products
  • Afghanistan: Various goods

Pakistan exports to approximately 106 countries, but most exports go to these six or seven main partners.

Location of Trading Partners

Pakistan's trading partners are located across different continents:

  • North America: USA
  • Europe: UK, Germany, Eastern European countries
  • Middle East: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait
  • East Asia: China, Japan
  • South Asia: Afghanistan, Sri Lanka
  • Southeast Asia: Malaysia

The European Union (EU) is a particularly important trading bloc for Pakistan. It consists of 27 member countries in Europe that work together as a single market.

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