Pakistan and Rwanda are exploring the creation of direct maritime-linked corridors designed to give Pakistani exporters access to the expansive 500 million consumer market of the East African Community (EAC), a strategic move aimed at slashing shipping costs and transit times.
The proposal was a central topic during a meeting on Tuesday between Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry and Rwandan Ambassador Harerimana Fatou at the minister’s office.
Minister Chaudhry detailed an initiative to establish direct shipping lines from Karachi to key logistics hubs in East Africa, such as Djibouti and Mombasa. This would bypass intermediate ports and enable smoother onward transport to neighboring nations.
‘The initiative involves opening a direct shipping line from Karachi to Djibouti, substantially reducing transit times and shipping costs,’ the minister stated, highlighting the significant logistical advantages of the plan.
In a parallel development, Pakistan is also working to develop Gwadar Port into a specialized export center focused on commerce with Africa. Gwadar’s strategic position on the Arabian Sea is expected to significantly enhance Pakistan’s port capacity and connectivity to Indian Ocean trade routes.
Officials noted that Rwanda, as a landlocked country, could leverage these East African ports as vital gateways for its imports and exports, thanks to established inland road and railway networks that link the ports to other EAC countries.
The current commercial exchange involves Rwanda exporting agricultural goods like tea, coffee, avocados, and pulses to Pakistan. In return, Pakistan ships pharmaceuticals, textiles, surgical instruments, electric bikes, tractors, and agricultural technologies to the African nation.
The minister added that the establishment of these direct maritime connections would lower logistics expenses, speed up deliveries, and improve export competitiveness. He also noted it would encourage business-to-business cooperation through specialized trade forums.
Both governments voiced their economic support for expanding access to new markets across the EAC, a bloc with a combined GDP of over $300 billion. The enhanced connectivity is expected to spur economic growth and deepen commercial ties between Pakistan and Rwanda.