Saudi fast-food giant Albaik to launch in Pakistan, confirms Commerce Minister

February 10, 2025 (MLN): Saudi fast-food giant Albaik is set to launch operations in Pakistan, with outlets expected to open in major cities, as confirmed by Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan during his visit to Jeddah on Saturday.

The minister visited Albaik’s facilities and met Pakistani employees working there. Albaik stated that its expansion into Pakistan is in its final stages, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU).

The discussions, held during the inaugural Made in Pakistan exhibition, focused on business collaborations, investment opportunities, and the entry of Saudi brands into the Pakistani market.

In a key meeting with prominent Saudi businessmen, the minister invited them to explore investment prospects in Pakistan across sectors such as energy, agriculture, IT, healthcare, infrastructure, and consumer goods, according to the media reports.

He highlighted Pakistan’s 22% export growth to Saudi Arabia, reaching $700 million, and assured investors of a business-friendly environment, including tax exemptions, investor protection laws, and access to a 240-million-strong consumer market.

Saudi business leaders expressed strong interest in collaborating with Pakistani counterparts, particularly in the construction materials, textiles, and food industries.

Several proposals were discussed to enhance trade and industrial investment, with the minister extending an invitation to Saudi business leaders to visit Pakistan and participate in trade exhibitions such as TEXPO, Food-AG, and the Healthcare & Mineral Show.

Discussions also covered Pakistan’s ease-of-doing-business initiatives, including the Pakistan Single Window (PSW) and the National Compliance Centre, aimed at streamlining trade regulations and improving export standards.

A key moment of the visit was Minister Jam Kamal Khan’s meeting with Albaik owner Rami Abu Ghazala. During a tour of Albaik’s operations, he met Pakistani workers and was briefed on the company’s expansion plans.

Albaik confirmed that its entry into Pakistan is in its final stages following the MOU, with the first outlets expected to open soon. This expansion will create new job opportunities and strengthen economic ties between the two nations.

The minister acknowledged the contributions of Pakistani workers in Saudi businesses like Albaik and welcomed the brand’s entry into Pakistan, noting its potential to enhance the country’s fast-food industry and consumer market.

In another significant engagement, the minister met with Pakistani investors and business leaders in Jeddah, recognizing their decades-long contributions to Saudi Arabia’s economic landscape.

He noted that 1.7 million Pakistanis traveled to Saudi Arabia in the past five years, making it the top destination for Pakistani emigrants.

Additionally, he highlighted the $7.4 billion in remittances sent from Saudi Arabia last fiscal year, underlining the strong financial ties between the two countries.

He also acknowledged the role of the recently established Pakistan Investor Forum in Jeddah, which is supporting new market entrants and fostering business collaborations.

The minister encouraged Pakistani investors to take advantage of the country’s Revised Visa Policy, which allows GCC citizens to enter Pakistan visa-free for up to 90 days, facilitating business travel.

Minister Jam Kamal Khan’s engagements in Jeddah reinforced Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening trade relations with Saudi Arabia.

From Saudi business leaders expressing confidence in Pakistan’s economy to Albaik’s upcoming expansion, the visit marked a significant step in deepening economic and trade ties.

With increasing Saudi interest in Pakistani industries, rising trade volumes, and new business partnerships, the Pakistan-Saudi economic corridor is set to expand further, unlocking new opportunities for both nations.

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