Islamabad, July 10, 2025: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday emphasized the strategic role of e-commerce in Pakistan’s export-oriented economic agenda and directed the formation of a dedicated committee to chart a roadmap for the sector’s accelerated development.
The directive came during a meeting with a six-member delegation from the Alibaba Group, led by James Dong, President of Alibaba International Markets. The delegation acknowledged the increasing participation of Pakistani entrepreneurs on Alibaba’s global e-commerce platforms, according to a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office.
Highlighting the current momentum, Prime Minister Sharif noted that over 300,000 locally manufactured Pakistani products are already available on Alibaba’s platforms. He stressed the importance of significantly increasing this number to boost the country’s export base.
“E-commerce is no longer an option—it is a necessity,” the Prime Minister stated. “It represents a critical pillar in our strategy to build an export-driven digital economy.” He instructed relevant authorities to take concrete steps to enhance the visibility and participation of Pakistani businesses—particularly SMEs—on international e-commerce platforms.
He also called for enhanced collaboration with the private sector to ensure that digital trade opportunities reach small and medium-sized enterprises, enabling them to access global markets.
James Dong lauded Pakistani entrepreneurs for their growing contributions to global trade and reaffirmed Alibaba’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s e-commerce ecosystem. “Currently, more than 300,000 Pakistani products are listed on Alibaba, with textiles emerging as the most in-demand category,” he said.
Dong also highlighted Pakistan’s untapped potential in the digital economy and expressed Alibaba’s interest in offering technical training to local entrepreneurs to further enhance their global competitiveness.
The meeting was also attended by Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), and other senior officials from relevant government departments.
