Pakistani tech companies are increasingly targeting major international markets, with a growing emphasis on Singapore, alongside the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Recently, Pakistani IT and fintech firms made their debut at international trade fairs in Singapore, including Singapore Tech Week and the Singapore FinTech Festival. This marks a significant shift in Pakistan’s strategy to diversify its tech exports and tap into the rapidly growing Southeast Asian digital economy. Areas such as software development, fintech, cybersecurity, and e-commerce services are at the forefront of this expansion.
“Singapore serves as a gateway to the entire ASEAN region. Its strategic location and openness to technological innovations make it an ideal market for us,” said Saad Shah, CEO of Hexalyze, who established an office in Singapore this year. He noted that Singaporean companies have shown increasing interest in their data analytics and cloud solutions, seeking reliable and cost-effective tech partners. “The market’s sophisticated needs and high expectations align well with the quality of services we offer,” Shah added.
While the United States and Europe have traditionally been key markets, Southeast Asia—particularly Singapore—presents a high-growth opportunity in sectors like artificial intelligence, blockchain, and digital health services.
Pakistan’s technology exports have seen steady growth, reaching a record high of $3.4 billion last year. In response, the government has been supporting the IT sector to boost export earnings and help address the nation’s current account deficit.
Aly Fahd, a key figure in Pakistan’s startup ecosystem, highlighted Singapore’s leadership in digital finance and its growing demand for innovative solutions. Pakistani fintech products for digital payments and secure transactions have attracted significant attention from local banks and startups.
Pakistani entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, digital banks, and members of the Pakistan-Singapore tech community gathered at a meetup during the Singapore FinTech Festival, gaining valuable insights into the latest developments in Pakistan’s tech ecosystem. They also had opportunities to network with industry leaders and innovators shaping the future of technology in both regions.
Expanding into Singapore represents a major step for Pakistani companies to enhance their exports and gain global recognition in the competitive tech space. Establishing partnerships and local presence in Singapore is seen as essential for sustained growth and market penetration into the broader ASEAN region.
Pakistan’s global presence at exhibitions has been steadily increasing, with recent participations in GITEX Global in Dubai, which featured 80 companies, and LEAP 2024 in Riyadh with 74 companies.
