5-year action plan for e-commerce on cards – Business

ISLAMABAD: The National E-Commerce Council (NeCC) on Tuesday decided to develop a five-year roadmap and action plan to promote digital commerce.

The decision was taken in the 9th meeting of the council chaired by Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan.

Various representatives from the sector also made presentations to highlight the obstacles to promoting e-commerce.

It was decided that the new cross-sectoral policy would be presented to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar before the budget session.

To meet this short deadline, the Minister of Trade ordered the creation of two-three working groups with clear terms of reference (TOR), including a group dealing with the payment system.

The minister’s directive regarding the five-year period appears at the moment of announcing the state budget on June 7. Many experts believe it is unlikely that a policy will be developed in such a short time.

A representative of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) informed NeCC about the operation of Pakistan Trade Portal (PTP). There are currently 3,555 sellers and 1,342 buyers registered on the portal, and 8,345 products are presented in 34 cities.

The minister appreciated TDAP’s efforts in registering customers on PTP over the last three-four months and recommended linking it with other portals to further facilitate customer registration.

Trade Secretary Sualeh Ahmed Farooqui unveiled the upcoming Export Readiness Program (ERP) aimed at training and advising small businesses to expand their export markets. It is believed that the initiative will enhance Pakistan’s export opportunities.

Earlier in the meeting, the Director General (Services) provided an overview, setting the stage for a series of presentations on various aspects of the e-commerce landscape in Pakistan. The focus was on the use of technology to increase market access and competitiveness.

A representative of the State Bank of Pakistan presented the current state of digital payment systems, emphasizing the need for a robust and secure payment infrastructure to support the development of e-commerce.

Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) discussed the challenges facing the IT sector and proposed strategies for its development.

The Association of Chain Stores and the first-ever bank-backed e-commerce platform, AlfaMall, also highlighted the dynamics of B2C e-commerce retail in Pakistan, providing insight into consumer behavior and market trends. Its potential to revolutionize online retail in Pakistan was also highlighted.

The meeting also reviewed significant achievements since the approval of the National E-Commerce Policy in October 2019.

Published in Dawn on May 29, 2024