Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday underscored the strategic importance of e-commerce for Pakistan’s export-driven economic vision and directed the formation of a dedicated committee to devise a roadmap for the sector’s growth.

The Prime Minister was speaking during a meeting with a six-member delegation of Alibaba Group, led by President of Alibaba International Markets, James Dong. The delegation appreciated the growing presence of Pakistani entrepreneurs on Alibaba’s global e-commerce platforms, a Prime Minister’s Office news release said.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlighted that over 300,000 locally manufactured Pakistani products are currently being sold on Alibaba’s platforms, and emphasized the need to increase this number substantially. He instructed relevant authorities to take concrete steps to expand the presence of Pakistani businesses on international e-commerce platforms, which he termed as “a powerful tool to boost exports in the modern digital economy.”

“E-commerce is no longer a choice but a necessity. It is a vital pillar in achieving the government’s goal of an export-oriented economy,” the Prime Minister stated. He called for proactive engagement with the private sector to enable small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to access international markets through digital platforms.

James Dong praised the contributions of Pakistani entrepreneurs in global trade and reiterated Alibaba’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s e-commerce ecosystem. “Currently, more than 300,000 Pakistani products are listed on Alibaba’s website, with textiles being the most in-demand category,” he noted.