ISLAMABAD – The federal government has finalized E-commerce policyframework to create an enabling environment for holistic growth ofe-commerce across all sectors of the country, with a special focus ondevelopment and promotion of SMEs to transform Pakistan into a significantplayer in the regional and global digital economy.
According to the draft policy framework prepared by the Commerce Ministry,its main goal is to increase e-commerce industry’s growth to make it one ofthe key drivers of Pakistan’s economy.
The second goal is to streamline regulatory framework for e-commercebusinesses in Pakistan, to contribute achieving higher export growththrough enhanced activities from e-commerce platforms, to promote smalle-businesses and create employment opportunities through digitalconnectivity for empowering youth, especially in remote areas.
In the first quarter of the financial year 2017-18, the number ofregistered e-commerce merchants was 496 which reached 1,094 by year-end andwas around 1,242 by the first quarter of 2018-19. E-commerce transactionsprocessed by these merchants are also increasing proportionately.
Read Top Stories
Pakistan’s e-commerce industry is emerging rapidly and has the potential tostrengthen the country’s economy by creating more job opportunities,linking remote areas to the mainstream, development of small and mediumenterprises and finally enhancing exports through online platforms. Forthis, it is crucial to develop a policy framework for consumer protection,the role of the financial sector in optimizing its growth and itsrevenue-generating potential in the medium and long run.
