COVID-19 pandemic uplifts Pakistan’s e-commerce sector

KARACHI: Experts have agreed that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has fuelled demand for uplifting e-commerce sector in Pakistan to enhance the Information Technology sector and trade.

The agreement came during a webinar organized by Pakistan’s Ministry of Information Technology, titled ‘E-commerce and Digital Pakistan: Prospects and Challenges’.

On the occasion, the Ministry of IT Project Manager Raza Ahmed Sukhera said that immense potential exists in e-commerce sector of Pakistan, however, its share at the global level remains low.

Raza Ahmed pointed out that global e-commerce sales had reached $3.4 trillion while Pakistan’s e-commerce sales stood at only $2 billion.

He updated the participants regarding the development of new software, business facilitation measures, establishment of IT valley, internet access, and facilitation of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups.

Meanwhile, Ministry of Commerce Joint Secretary Aisha Moriani apprised the participants regarding the aspects of e-commerce policy such as financial inclusion and digitisation through payment infrastructure.

She updated the participants regarding customer protection, taxation structure logistics, data protection and investment, ICT infrastructure and telecom services in Pakistan and global connectivity.

Pakistan Software Houses Association (PASHA) Chairman Shehzad Shahid informed that the IT-related exports of Pakistan increased 23% last year. “The government has targeted to achieve up to $5 billion in e-commerce sales during the next three years,” he added.

He also highlighted that majority of the companies working in the IT sector are small scale. Shahid also called for increased investment in this sector.

“Technology has improved the business environment but Pakistan has to enhance connectivity and quality of internet services in order to compete globally,” he stressed.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the need of e-commerce and Digital Pakistan,” Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Vice President Sheikh Sultan Rehman informed.

Rehman said that the government should focus on formulating an e-commerce and Digital Pakistan policy to promote online businesses in the country. “Promotion of e-commerce does not require massive investment,” he added.