Pakistan, a promising production country with a rapidly growing economy. If you are considering producing your products in Pakistan, there are plenty of opportunities. However, Pakistan has its own cultural differences and many customs compared to us. Without any preparation, there’s a high chance you’ll run into problems. That’s why in this blog we’d like to highlight the cultural differences in Pakistan that you should be aware of when producing your products there. Following the right customs is crucial, and JDLsourcing is happy to assist you as your production partner when producing in Pakistan!
Are you planning to have your products manufactured in Pakistan? Then you’ll need to consider the traditions, norms, and values of Pakistani culture. Below we’ll discuss these traditions, norms, and values and what you can do to make your visit to Pakistan as successful as possible.
The greeting: A handshake is the usual form of greeting. As a strongly Islamic country, Pakistan is very hierarchical. People in high positions or of older age receive more respect. Show this when you are in the presence of an older person or if your business partner holds a high-ranking position. However, a woman must always take the initiative for a handshake. A man will only initiate a handshake with another man, but not with a woman.
Giving gifts is not customary. A gift is only appropriate if you are invited to your business partner’s home. Keep it simple, such as flowers or chocolate.
Clothing: Get your suit ready! It is customary to show up in a full suit with a tie. This also applies to women, as long as the clothing is not too tight.
Language: When it comes to the language spoken in Pakistan, you don’t need to worry. If you want to produce your products in Pakistan, you can simply speak English with your manufacturer. Out of a population of 180 million people, only about 10 million speak the native language “Urdu,” while the rest speak fluent English.
Keep the Islamic faith in mind: In Pakistan, the Islamic faith plays a very important role in daily life. Be mindful of this, especially during Ramadan. During this period, half workdays are typically observed.
Do you have to be on time?: When doing business in Pakistan, you can expect some waiting. In Pakistani culture, punctuality is quite flexible. Luckily, for those from Brabant, we’re used to the “Brabant quarter,” so it’s not a big deal. It’s definitely not a disaster if you’re a little late, but it’s wise to keep it in mind when planning.
Contracts and decision-making: In the Netherlands, it’s common for a contract to be drafted quickly and for decisions to be made on the spot. However, if you are producing in Pakistan, this may take longer. It is quite common for contract drafting and decision-making to take time. Of course, this depends on the business partner, but in general, things are handled more flexibly. It’s also possible that your business partner wants to build a more personal relationship with you before agreeing.
Don’t try to speed up the negotiation. This will only make it take longer. Trying to rush the process is seen as impatience and raises suspicion — your business partner might think there’s something hidden in the deal. As a result, they’ll take even more time. So be patient and gauge what your partner feels comfortable with.
JDLsourcing as your production partner
All these traditions, norms, and values can be quite complex when producing your products in Pakistan. The many potential misunderstandings and time-consuming tasks can lead to difficult situations. Fortunately, JDLsourcing is here to take care of all of this so you don’t have to worry.
JDLsourcing is locally present in Pakistan to ensure your production runs smoothly. When producing in Pakistan, it is crucial that your production is closely monitored to ensure everything is going according to plan. To check if everything is on track, regular quality inspections are carried out. This is done by visiting the factory locally and performing inspections on-site.
In addition to quality checks, we verify whether the manufacturer has all the necessary certifications, and all negotiations are handled locally to secure the most favorable agreement for you.
JDLsourcing specializes in having products manufactured in Asia. With years of experience and the right knowledge, JDLsourcing has successfully delivered tailored products to many satisfied customers. JDLsourcing takes care of the entire procurement process — from finding a supplier and producing the product to logistics and the necessary inspections.
Do you have a great idea and are eager to turn it into reality? Then seize your opportunity and contact with JDLsourcing! Together with our local teams in Asia, we’re ready to support you!
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