Peshawar, 12 January 2022 (TDI): Senator Aon Abbas, Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on E-Commerce stated that the Federal Cabinet had approved the first-ever E-commerce policy framework.
He said that e-commerce will help boost exports and strengthen the digital economy along with becoming a prime opportunity for employment for youth in the country. Senator Aon Abbas informed that Prime Minister Imran Khan will inaugurate an E-commerce web portal in February next month under his vision of promoting the digital economy.
Whilst addressing an awareness seminar on E-commerce the Senator revealed that the first-ever E-commerce virtual university will also be set up in the country. The university will become live in July 2022.
The awareness seminar was jointly organized by the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) and the Ministry of Commerce and Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) at the Chamber’s House in Peshawar, today.
Imran Khan Mohmand, Senior Vice President of SCCI chaired the session. In addition, Javed Akhtar, the chamber Vice President, Sherbaz Bilour, the former President, and Ayesha Humaira the Ministry of Commerce Joint Secretary attended the seminar.
Furthermore, Secretary Industries KP, Hashmat Ali, Executive Members Ghulam Hussain, Ghulam Bilal Javed, Zahoor Khan, S Minhajuddin, Ejaz Khan Afridi, Shams Rahim, Naeem Qasmi, Saddar Gul, Rashid Iqbal Siddique, Faiz Rasool, M Ishtiaq, and a large number of traders, exporters, importers, presidents of different bazaar and traders, high officials for different relevant departments attended the seminar.
The Special Assistant to Prime Minister expressed that domestic E-commerce remained at 4billion dollars according to rough estimates, while Rs 60 Billion digital trade was through cross-border, last year. Likewise, he apprised the attendees that approximately 340 billion dollars E-commerce is being carried out across Pakistan.
He further informed that presently 1.1 to 1.2 million freelancers are working in the country while freelancers’ share in foreign remittances is about 1.5 billion dollars.
The Senator enunciated that under the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan, the present government is taking practical measures toward the advancement of E-commerce.
For this purpose, efforts are being made to improve the postal system, value-chain, trace, and tracking along with the banking system. Aon Abbas emphasized that a simple, speedy, and accredited system is essential for the promotion of E-commerce.
He pointed out that there were hurdles and impediments that were restricting promotion of E-commerce and E-businesses. Nevertheless, the present government is taking tangible measures to eliminate all hurdles by fixing the problems at the earliest under a holistic mechanism.
Senator Aon Abbas said E-commerce or E-businesses are being carried around 20 trillion dollars across the world, in which 4-5 trillion dollars share was the People’s Republic of China. Prime Minister Imran Khan wants to introduce a system that would assure the conveyance of shipments or products.
Currently, Pakistan stands third in E-businesses as compared to India which is at first and Bangladesh is at second. The promotion of E-commerce, as well as the digital economy, is the main objective of Pakistan’s Prime Minister.
In that regard, special training programs will be conducted for youth to equip them in using digital methods. SCCI SVP Imran Khan also stressed the need for the promotion of E-commerce and E-businesses while addressing the occasion.
He said that Pakistan’s youth has been endowed with plenty and unmatchable skills but, unfortunately, these capabilities are not utilized properly. Consequently, he suggested the Ministry of Commerce to conduct special capacity building and training to create knowledge amongst youth about using technology for the advancement of business as well as the contribution of their share in the development of the national economy.
Additionally, the SCCI representatives expressed hope that this awareness seminar will enlighten the business community, particularly startup enterprises about employing the latest methods for the promotion of their enterprises.
