Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday underscored the strategic importance of e-commerce for Pakistan's export-driven economic vision and directed the formation of a dedicated committee to devise a roadmap for the sector's growth.
He was speaking at a meeting with a six-member delegation of Alibaba Group, led by President of Alibaba International Markets, James Dong.
The delegation appreciated the growing presence of Pakistani entrepreneurs on Alibaba's global e-commerce platforms, a Prime Minister's Office statement read.
The premier highlighted that over 300,000 locally manufactured Pakistani products are currently being sold on Alibaba's platforms, and emphasized the need to increase this number substantially. He instructed relevant authorities to take concrete steps to expand the presence of Pakistani businesses on international e-commerce platforms, which he termed as "a powerful tool to boost exports in the modern digital economy."
"E-commerce is no longer a choice but a necessity. It is a vital pillar in achieving the government's goal of an export-oriented economy," the prime minister stated.
Dong praised the contributions of Pakistani entrepreneurs in global trade and reiterated Alibaba's commitment to supporting Pakistan's e-commerce ecosystem. "Currently, more than 300,000 Pakistani products are listed on Alibaba's website, with textiles being the most in-demand category," he noted.
He further emphasized that Pakistan holds immense untapped potential in the e-commerce sector and expressed Alibaba Group's strong interest in providing technical training to Pakistani entrepreneurs to help scale up their participation on international platforms.
PNSC
Separately, the premier directed the relevant authorities to formulate a comprehensive plan to transform the PNSC into a shipping company of international standard.
Chairing a meeting to review the restructuring, reforms and performance of the PNSC, he said that Pakistan's shipping sector held vast potential for investment.
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