Alibaba.com Partners with Pakistan’s Ministry of IT & Telecom to Boost Digital Trade and SME Growth

Beijing, September 6, 2025 — In a significant move to strengthen Pakistan’s digital economy and expand international market access for local businesses, Alibaba.com has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ignite – National Technology Fund, under the Ministry of Information Technology & Telecommunication (MoITT) of Pakistan.

The partnership was formalized during the 2nd Pakistan-China B2B Investment Conference in Beijing. The MoU was signed by Pakistan’s Minister of IT & Telecom, Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja, and Mr. Roger Luo, Head of South & Southeast Asia at Alibaba.com, in the presence of senior officials from both countries.

Speaking at the event, Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja emphasized the transformative potential of this collaboration:

“Pakistan is standing at the cusp of a global e-commerce opportunity. The entrepreneurial spirit of our youth, combined with global platforms like Alibaba.com, will help showcase Pakistani products worldwide. This partnership is a key step toward fostering innovation, boosting exports, and integrating Pakistan into the global digital trade ecosystem.”

Mr. Roger Luo shared similar optimism about the collaboration:

“By combining Alibaba.com’s platform capabilities, AI-powered tools, and targeted training with the strategic support of MoITT and Ignite, we aim to help Pakistani SMEs grow, enhance their export competitiveness, and unlock sustainable digital trade opportunities.”

Key Features of the MoU:

• Digital Trade Enablement: Alibaba.com will organize online and offline promotional activities such as trade shows and national pavilions for Pakistani sellers.

• Capacity Building: The platform will offer B2B e-commerce training and AI-powered tools to selected SMEs and startups.

• Implementation Support: Ignite will identify potential exporters, coordinate seminars in key cities, and promote Alibaba.com-led initiatives across the country.

Following the MoU signing, a high-level Pakistani delegation visited Alibaba’s campus in Beijing. Hosted by Wee Choo Hua (EVP at Daraz and Lazada) and Berry Ma (Head of Pakistan Business, Alibaba.com), the delegation—led by Minister Khawaja and Secretary IT & Telecom Zarrar Hasham Khan—discussed expanding Pakistan’s role in global supply chains, e-commerce education, and further cooperation in AI and digital trade facilitation.

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Alibaba.com has shown increasing support for Pakistani businesses in recent years. Its Trade Assurance service saw an 85% activation rate shortly after launch in Pakistan. Meanwhile, its AI-powered Smart Assistant is now used by 80% of Pakistani sellers, significantly improving efficiency and trust. In Q2 2025, Pakistan reported a 60% year-on-year increase in new suppliers on Alibaba.com, especially in sectors like apparel, sports equipment, and surgical instruments.

This strategic collaboration marks a major step toward positioning Pakistan as a key player in global digital commerce.