Witnessed By PM Sharif And Alibaba Chairman Joe Tsai: The Deal Connects Pakistani Sellers To Over 50 Million Global Buyers Through AI-Powered B2B Infrastructure
According to Business Recorder, the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Alibaba Group in Hangzhou on Monday, aimed at enhancing digital trade and expanding global market access for Pakistani SMEs. The signing was witnessed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Alibaba Group Chairman Joe Tsai.
The numbers carry the story. The partnership will deliver AI-powered digital trade training to 10,000 Pakistani businesses using Alibaba.com’s enterprise AI agent Accio Work. At least 2,000 SMEs will be onboarded onto a dedicated “Pakistan Pavilion”; a unified digital gateway connecting Pakistani sellers with over 50 million global buyers. Services including Trade Assurance and Verified Supplier certification will accelerate export growth.
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar Khan called it a critical step in strengthening Pakistan’s digital economy. He is right. SMEs employ the majority of Pakistan’s non-agricultural workforce yet remain largely shut out of global e-commerce. A 10,000-business training pipeline plugged directly into the world’s largest B2B platform is exactly the export-led pivot the economy has needed for a decade.
To check out our previous coverage on Pakistan’s digital economy and China partnerships, read our articles here.
