Pakistan has dispatched its first export consignment from the Export Processing Zones Authority to Kyrgyzstan via a land route, officials announced.
The shipment, valued at $62,461.60 and comprising 2,113 packages, passed through a land corridor as part of efforts to expand trade links with Central Asia. The consignment includes herbal oils, herbal tea, henna, creams and soaps.
What is Pakistan's new land export route to Kyrgyzstan?
Pakistan's new land export route connects Karachi's Export Processing Zone to Kyrgyzstan through an overland corridor via Sost Dry Port in China. The route gives Pakistani exporters direct access to Central Asian markets without relying on sea freight. It operates under the TIR transit framework, which allows sealed cargo to cross multiple borders with minimal customs checks.
The shipment reflects a push to diversify Pakistan's value-added exports into emerging regional markets. Officials said the initiative aligns with the government's broader economic strategy to grow the country's export footprint. The EPZA chairman said the move was carried out under the direction of the special assistant to the prime minister on industries and production.
What does the Kyrgyzstan land route mean for Pakistani exporters?
The EPZA chairman said the initiative is expected to open new avenues for exporters and promote "Made in Pakistan" products in international markets. He reaffirmed the authority's commitment to facilitating exporters and supporting growth in the country's export sector.
Pakistan's total exports to Kyrgyzstan stood at $8.56 million in 2024, according to UN COMTRADE data, leaving significant room for expansion.
The land corridor positions Pakistan as a transit and trade partner for landlocked Central Asian countries, including Kyrgyzstan. Pakistan has previously offered Kyrgyzstan access to global markets through the ports of Karachi, Bin Qasim and Gwadar. The first EPZ land consignment marks a concrete step toward making that offer operational.
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