ISLAMABAD – In a significant move to deepen economic ties, Pakistan and the Republic of Rwanda have held high-level talks on establishing direct maritime trade corridors linking Karachi Port with strategic East African hubs. The discussion, focused on reducing shipping costs and enhancing access to regional markets, underscores a shared commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.
The proposal was at the center of a meeting between the Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Mr. Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, and Her Excellency Ms. Harerimana Fatou, the Ambassador of Rwanda to Pakistan. The envoy called on the Minister at his office earlier this week.
During the meeting, Minister Chaudhry outlined Pakistan’s strategic plan to launch direct shipping lines from Karachi to key logistics centers like Djibouti and Mombasa. The latter serves as a critical gateway to the East African Community (EAC), a bloc that includes Rwanda.
“This initiative involves opening a direct shipping line from Karachi to Djibouti, which will substantially reduce transit times and shipping costs by bypassing intermediate ports,” stated Minister Chaudhry. “It will also enable more efficient onward transport to neighboring ports such as Mombasa, creating a seamless logistics chain.”
The Minister further highlighted the role of Gwadar Port, which Pakistan is developing into a specialized export hub focused on trade with Africa. He emphasized that Gwadar’s strategic location on the Arabian Sea will enhance Pakistan’s port capacity and its connectivity to major Indian Ocean trade routes.
Acknowledging Rwanda’s geographical position, Minister Chaudhry noted that the East African ports could serve as ideal gateways for the landlocked nation, leveraging established inland road and railway connections that link the coast to Rwanda and other EAC countries.
The trade relationship between the two nations is complementary. Rwanda primarily exports agricultural products such as tea, coffee, avocados, and pulses to Pakistan. In return, Pakistan exports a diverse range of goods, including pharmaceuticals, textiles, surgical instruments, electric bikes, tractors, mobile phones, and agricultural technology.
The creation of direct maritime corridors is expected to lower logistics costs, accelerate delivery times, and improve the export competitiveness of goods from both countries. The initiative also aims to foster greater business-to-business cooperation through dedicated trade forums between Pakistan and the EAC.
Both parties expressed strong support for leveraging this enhanced connectivity to tap into the EAC’s vast market of over 500 million consumers, which boasts a combined GDP exceeding $300 billion.
The discussions concluded with a mutual understanding that bolstering maritime links through Pakistan’s ports and East Africa’s logistics hubs will be a catalyst for economic growth and a new chapter in Pakistan-Rwanda trade relations.
BY: The Times Union
