ISLAMABAD – In a major step towards digital economic integration, the Ministry of Commerce in collaboration with the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) has launched the country’s first digital trade platform, aimed at enhancing cross-border e-commerce and improving global market access for Pakistani businesses.
The platform was officially unveiled at the GLOBE Pakistan Summit by Rana Ihsan Afzal Khan, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Commerce. Speaking at the event, he emphasized that digital trade corridors will play a vital role in supporting local exporters and businesses in competing globally.
Commitment to Digital Transformation
Commerce Secretary Jawad Paul reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating a secure and modern digital trade ecosystem, especially one that supports small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch also underlined the importance of economic diplomacy, noting that digital tools and connectivity are critical to ensuring Pakistan’s active role in the regional and global economy.
Strategic Partnerships and Broader Vision
The initiative complements broader plans to expand Pakistan’s digital commerce, including prospective partnerships with international platforms such as Alibaba, and integration with the Raast instant payment system.
Furthermore, the digital platform aligns with the goals of the Pakistan Single Window (PSW) project, which seeks to consolidate and simplify trade procedures through a centralized digital portal.
Empowering Women and Small Businesses
The project also supports inclusive growth, with recent MoUs signed between SMEDA (Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority) and PSW to ensure better access to international markets for SMEs, particularly women-led enterprises.
Officials hailed the platform as a transformative step toward reducing barriers to trade, enhancing transparency, and positioning Pakistan as a competitive player in the global digital economy.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.