Friday, July 11, 2025

Pakistan aims to become a regional hub for digital trade, Rana Ihsaan

TDAP and Ministry of Commerce successfully hosted the inaugural GLOBE Pakistan Summit 2025

Islamabad —: The GLOBE Pakistan Summit 2025, Rana Ihsaan Afzal, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Commerce, delivered a powerful keynote address, urging for immediate and coordinated efforts to establish Pakistan as a regional leader in digital trade.

The summit, organized by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) under the Ministry of Commerce, was themed “Gateway to Logistics & Business through E-Commerce.” It brought together senior government officials, private sector leaders, diplomats, and e-commerce stakeholders from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Belarus, and Pakistan in a hybrid setting.

Chief Guest underscored the transformative potential of digital trade. He noted that in a world redefined by algorithms, data flows, and digital trust, the very nature of commerce is evolving — influencing not only how trade occurs, but who participates and what determines competitiveness. He emphasized that digital transformation lies at the heart of Pakistan’s economic recovery, export diversification, and regional diplomacy as per the Prime Minister’s strategic agenda.

He further stated that the future belongs to nations that build ecosystems rooted in trust and connectivity, citing the summit as a clear indication of Pakistan’s intent to be among them. The GLOBE Summit was a strategic platform to activate recently signed e-commerce cooperation MoUs with Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus. These agreements are being executed under the guidance of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), through policy dialogues, cross-country presentations, and B2B networking engagements.

Rana Ihsaan Afzal called for coordinated policy across ministries, the development of credible institutions to foster investor confidence, and the creation of a business environment where innovative ideas can thrive without bureaucratic delays. He acknowledged and appreciated the efforts of TDAP, the Ministry of Commerce, the State Bank of Pakistan, Pakistan Post, and key private sector stakeholders for advancing the country’s digital trade agenda. He urged all partners to embed digital transformation into Pakistan’s broader trade diplomacy, industrial policies, and regional economic outlook.

He concluded with a powerful message encouraging action over rhetoric — calling for a move beyond dialogue toward tangible results, deeper integration, and delivery of digital trade solutions.

The summit also included comprehensive presentations by trade officials from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus, focused on their respective e-commerce ecosystems. Pakistani institutions showcased progress on digital payments, logistics infrastructure, and regulatory support. The second half of the event featured in-person and virtual B2B matchmaking sessions between Pakistani platforms such as Daraz, Telemart, and Laam, and their international counterparts.

With participation exceeding 100 stakeholders and the presence of key diplomatic missions, the GLOBE Pakistan Summit 2025 marked a major step forward in integrating Pakistan into the regional digital trade landscape — positioning the country not just as a participant, but as a proactive regional leader.

The event was inaugurated by Mr. Rana Ihsan Afzal Khan, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Commerce, with keynote remarks by Mr. Faiz Ahmad Chadhar, Chief Executive TDAP, Mr. Jawad Paul, Secretary Commerce, and Ms. Amna Baloch, Foreign Secretary — reaffirming the government’s commitment to a secure, compatible, and globally integrated digital trade ecosystem.

Field Correspondent Sohail Majeed
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Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.

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