By Our Correspondent
LAHORE: Alibaba.com, a leading global B2B e-commerce platform, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ignite – National Technology Fund, under Pakistan’s Ministry of Information Technology & Telecommunication (MoITT), to strengthen Pakistan’s digital economy and expand global opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups.
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The MoU was signed in Beijing during 2nd Pakistan-China B2B Investment Conference by Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Minister of IT & Telecom Pakistan, and Mr. Roger Luo, Head of South & Southeast Asia at Alibaba.com, in the presence of senior officials from both sides.
Speaking at the occasion, Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Minister of IT & Telecom, Pakistan, said: “Pakistan is standing at the cusp of global e-commerce opportunity, where the passion and entrepreneurial acumen of our youth will enable them to showcase their abilities and products and at global level. This partnership with Alibaba.com is an important step for Pakistan’s digital economy. By equipping our SMEs and startups with advanced e-commerce tools and access to global markets, and by aligning our institutions with international best practices, we aim to foster innovation, support export growth, and strengthen Pakistan’s participation in global digital trade.”
Mr. Roger Luo, Head of South & Southeast Asia at Alibaba.com added: “We are pleased to partner with MoITT and Ignite to open new channels for Pakistani businesses. By combining Alibaba.com’s platform capabilities, AI-driven tools and targeted training with government support, we can help SMEs scale, improve export competitiveness and build sustainable digital trade pathways.”
Under the MoU, Alibaba.com will organize and facilitate online or offline promotional activities, including Pakistan trade shows and online national pavilion, deliver targeted B2B e-commerce training and provide AI powered tools to selected SMEs and startups. Ignite will support implementation by identifying potential exporters, coordinating seminars in key cities, and promoting Alibaba.com-led initiatives across Pakistan.
Following the signing, a high-level Pakistani delegation visited the Alibaba Campus in Beijing, hosted by Wee Choo Hua, Executive Vice President at Daraz and Lazada and Berry Ma, Head of Pakistan Business, Alibaba.com. The Pakistan delegation included Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Minister of IT & Telecom and Zarrar Hasham Khan, Secretary of IT & Telecom. Discussions focused on expanding Pakistan’s role in global supply chains, enhancing e-commerce training for SMEs, and exploring further cooperation in AI and digital trade facilitation.
Alibaba.com has actively supported Pakistani businesses, rolling out its Trade Assurance service in Pakistan and achieving an 85% activation rate within months of launch. At the same time, the platform has helped sellers adopt its AI-powered Smart Assistant, which is now used by 80% of Pakistani sellers, improving trust and operational efficiency. In the second quarter of 2025, Pakistan recorded a 60% year-on-year increase in new suppliers on Alibaba.com, led by apparel, sports and entertainment, and surgical instruments.
