Muhammad Yameen Mustafavi attended the 20th International Exhibition and Conference at Lahore Expo Centre with Tayyab Raza, Head of Digital Marketing at The Design PK. Three co-located shows ran with the conference: Plastic, Packaging & PrintAsia, Paper & Tissue Asia and FoodAsia.
Four startup opportunities stood out during the visit. Each one pairs a strength Pakistan already has, its manufacturers and suppliers, with digital skills.
1. Global e-commerce for local manufacturing
Local makers of premium cutlery and kitchenware can reach buyers worldwide through global e-commerce instead of relying only on local demand.
2. Digital branding and packaging agencies
Traditional manufacturers need presentation that matches their production quality. Agencies offering AI-driven mockups and modern packaging design can help them present their products professionally.
3. White-label food and fragrance brands
Top-tier suppliers at the show offer products that new brands can source, brand as their own and sell online with minimal investment.
4. B2B digital transformation services
Many factories still have weak digital footprints. Websites, SEO and social media services built for manufacturers are a clear opening for digital agencies and freelancers.
The bigger picture
The resources and manufacturers already exist locally. Combining digital skills with physical industry is how new startups get built. It is also one practical way to strengthen Pakistan’s economy.
The expo week continued with a visit to Paper & Tissue Asia with Waleed Ahmad. Read that story.