Bangkok (GNP): Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has held talks with the leadership of Alibaba International Digital Commerce (AIDC) as Pakistan steps up efforts to grow its digital economy. The discussions aim to improve e-commerce taxation and lift exports through technology partnerships.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meetings 2026 in Bangkok. According to a Finance Ministry statement, the two sides reviewed cooperation in digital payments, cashless transactions, artificial intelligence (AI), cloud infrastructure and measures to strengthen Pakistan’s e-commerce ecosystem.
Digital payments were a major part of the agenda. The talks covered the potential for a cashless economy, including the transparent delivery of social protection payments and targeted subsidies to eligible beneficiaries.
Aurangzeb, who is Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, thanked Alibaba for supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), local brands and Pakistani exporters through Daraz and Alibaba.com. He then invited the company to submit proposals for rationalising e-commerce taxation, with the aim of balancing fairness and wider participation in the tax system.
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Trade facilitation followed naturally from the tax discussion. Both sides considered ways to speed up the Pakistan Single Window e-commerce platform and improve the tracking of cross-border payments and export proceeds.
They also reviewed cooperation on AI, cloud infrastructure and tax administration. The emphasis was on integrated data systems, cybersecurity and institutional capacity.
The conversation then turned to logistics and agriculture. The two sides explored modernising the mail-sorting systems of Pakistan Post. They also looked at expanding agricultural exports to China through Alibaba’s retail network, which could open further opportunities for Pakistani producers in international markets.
Managing Editor at Global News Pakistan (GNP), with a Bachelor's degree in International Relations from Riphah International University, graduated with a Gold Medal. Reach out at sabahtareengnp@gmail.com
