Public-private tie-up vital for digital economy

The leadership of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), including President Nasir Mansoor Qureshi, Senior Vice President Abdul Rehman Siddiqui and Vice President Nasir Mehmood Chaudhry, has emphasised the urgent need for accelerating digital transformation to strengthen the e-commerce sector and enhance the country's competitiveness in the global marketplace.

They noted that digital commerce has become a major driver of economic growth worldwide, but Pakistan's share in the global e-commerce economy remains far below its potential, said a statement issued on Saturday.

The businessmen urged the government to adopt policies that support digital infrastructure, improve internet penetration, ensure reliable payment gateways and promote financial inclusion so that more entrepreneurs, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), could benefit from digital platforms.

The ICCI leadership stressed that the youth of Pakistan, which represents the majority of the population, could play a key role in shaping the future of e-commerce, if provided with proper training and facilities.

They highlighted that expanding digital literacy programmes, improving logistics' systems and ensuring regulatory ease for online businesses would not only create millions of job opportunities but also boost exports by connecting local producers with global buyers.

President Nasir Mansoor added that strong collaboration between the government, private sector and technology companies was critical to unlock Pakistan's digital economy. "If we invest in innovation and digital entrepreneurship today, we can transform Pakistan into a hub of regional e-commerce in the coming years," he remarked.