Islamabad (TDI): Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan chaired the first meeting of the IT & E-Commerce Sectoral Council on Thursday.
The meeting took place at the Ministry of Commerce. Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Minister of State for Information Technology, joined via video link.
The commerce minister called on the council to present their ideas to the Commerce Executive Committee, headed by himself. These ideas will then move to the National Export Development Board led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
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Speaking on the occasion, Shaza Fatima stated that her ministry aims to boost IT exports from $3.223 billion to $25 billion by 2029. She said the government had ensured full support in this regard.
The meeting was attended by e-commerce giants like Alibaba and Daraz, along with P@SHA.
The presentation by P@SHA outlined significant challenges in the sector, including payroll taxes, internet connectivity, and global perceptions about Pakistan’s security, all of which hamper growth.
The council also discussed potential strategies to enhance regional trade, address the brain drain, and develop a robust local IT ecosystem.
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Jam Kamal Khan praised everyone’s input. He promised government backing and urged quick action on new policies. He also suggested working closely with private businesses.
The goal for e-commerce exports is set at $5 billion by 2030. To hit this, the council stressed better logistics, digital payments, and infrastructure.
