Payoneer Connect Lahore Brings 40+ Agencies Together to Explore Global Marketing Opportunities
Pakistan’s Marketing Services Exports Rise 19% as Agencies Prepare for Global Expansion
LAHORE – Pakistan’s exports of advertising and market research services increased by 19% year-on-year to $30.7 million in July–September 2026, compared with $25.8 million during the same period last year, according to State Bank of Pakistan data.
The growth provided a strong backdrop for Payoneer Connect Lahore, where more than 40 marketing agencies gathered to explore opportunities for securing international clients and expanding their businesses in global markets.
Payoneer Connect Lahore Focuses on Global Marketing Exports
Hosted by Payoneer, a global financial technology company supporting cross-border business growth, the event was held under the theme “The Export Era of Global Marketing.” It brought together agency leaders, representatives from the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), Google, and artificial intelligence practitioners to discuss the future of Pakistan’s marketing services industry.
Pakistan’s Professional Services Exports Show Strong Growth
The expansion in marketing services exports reflects a broader increase in Pakistan’s professional services sector. Other business services, a State Bank category that includes public relations, consulting and technical services, recorded exports of $620 million during the same quarter, marking a 27% year-on-year increase.
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Within this category, exports of consulting and public relations services rose by 22% to $81.2 million, highlighting the growing contribution of knowledge-based services to the country’s export earnings.
Agentic AI Could Transform Pakistan’s Marketing Agencies
The role of artificial intelligence in transforming the services industry was a key focus of a fireside chat featuring Ali Imran Memon, Founder and CEO of Kitsune AI. The discussion explored whether Pakistan’s traditional freelancing and outsourcing models have reached their limits and how agencies can move beyond selling billable hours by developing AI agents and technology-driven products.
Participants also examined potential pricing models for AI-powered services, including subscriptions, task-based charges and outcome-based pricing.
Google Highlights AI-Powered Localisation for Global Expansion
Google’s Customer Solutions team demonstrated how AI-powered localisation tools can help Pakistani businesses adapt their services for international markets. By reducing the cost and complexity of entering new markets, these tools could create greater opportunities for agencies seeking overseas clients.
P@SHA Calls for Policy Support to Boost Digital Exports
Sustaining the growth of Pakistan’s digital services exports will also require supportive policies and an enabling business environment. P@SHA Vice Chairman Samad Saleem outlined the association’s ongoing policy and advocacy efforts to strengthen the sector and help local businesses compete internationally.
The discussions come as the government pursues its ambitious target of increasing Pakistan’s IT exports to $15 billion by 2030, with the country’s marketing and professional services agencies positioned to play a growing role in global digital trade.
