Beijing – Alibaba.com, the global B2B e-commerce platform, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ignite – National Technology Fund, under Pakistan’s Ministry of IT & Telecommunication (MoITT), to accelerate the growth of Pakistan’s digital economy and expand global opportunities for SMEs and startups. The signing took place during the 2nd Pakistan-China B2B Investment Conference.
The MoU was formalized by Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Pakistan’s Minister of IT & Telecom, and Mr. Roger Luo, Head of South & Southeast Asia at Alibaba.com, in the presence of senior officials from both countries.
Shaza Fatima Khawaja emphasized Pakistan’s readiness to tap into global e-commerce opportunities: “This partnership with Alibaba.com is an important step for Pakistan’s digital economy. By equipping SMEs and startups with advanced tools and global access, we aim to foster innovation, strengthen exports, and enhance Pakistan’s role in global digital trade.”
Roger Luo added that the collaboration combines Alibaba.com’s platform capabilities, AI-driven tools, and training programs with government support to help Pakistani SMEs scale and build sustainable export pathways.
Key provisions of the MoU include:
- Organizing online/offline promotional activities, including Pakistan trade shows and a national pavilion on Alibaba.com.
- Delivering B2B e-commerce training and providing AI-powered tools to selected SMEs and startups.
- Ignite supporting implementation by identifying potential exporters, hosting seminars in major cities, and promoting initiatives nationwide.
Following the signing, a high-level Pakistani delegation visited Alibaba’s Beijing campus, discussing expansion of Pakistan’s role in global supply chains, e-commerce training, and future cooperation in AI and digital trade facilitation.
Alibaba.com has already played a pivotal role in Pakistan’s e-commerce ecosystem. Its Trade Assurance service has achieved an 85% activation rate since launch, while its AI-powered Smart Assistant is now used by 80% of Pakistani sellers. In Q2 2025, Pakistan recorded a 60% year-on-year increase in new suppliers on the platform, particularly in apparel, sports equipment, entertainment, and surgical instruments.
