Alibaba.com and Pakistan’s Ministry of Information Technology & Telecommunication, through Ignite – National Technology Fund, have signed a memorandum of understanding to boost the country’s digital trade and help small and medium-sized enterprises and startups access global markets. The agreement commits both parties to joint promotional activities, e-commerce training and deployment of AI-driven tools, while Alibaba highlighted recent growth in Pakistani suppliers and adoption of its platform services.
The MoU was signed in Beijing during the Pakistan-China B2B Investment Conference by Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Pakistan’s Minister of IT & Telecom, and Roger Luo, Head of South & Southeast Asia at Alibaba.com, in the presence of senior officials from both sides. The partnership is intended to align Pakistani institutions with international e-commerce practices and expand export opportunities for local businesses.
Minister Khawaja said Pakistan is poised to seize global e-commerce opportunities through the energy and entrepreneurial talent of its youth, and called the partnership an important step toward equipping SMEs and startups with advanced tools and market access to foster innovation and export growth. Roger Luo said the collaboration will combine Alibaba.com’s platform capabilities, AI-driven tools and targeted training with government support to help Pakistani firms scale and improve export competitiveness.
Under the MoU, Alibaba.com will organize online and offline promotional activities, including trade shows and a national online pavilion, deliver targeted B2B e-commerce training, and provide AI-powered tools to selected SMEs and startups. Ignite will support implementation by identifying potential exporters, coordinating seminars in key cities, and promoting Alibaba.com-led initiatives throughout Pakistan.
Following the signing, a high-level Pakistani delegation visited the Alibaba Campus in Beijing. The delegation, including the minister and the secretary of IT & Telecom, met with Alibaba executives to discuss expanding Pakistan’s role in global supply chains, enhancing e-commerce training for SMEs, and exploring further cooperation in AI and digital trade facilitation.
Alibaba.com said it has already rolled out services to support Pakistani businesses, including its Trade Assurance service, which achieved an 85% activation rate within months of launch. The platform’s AI-powered Smart Assistant is being used by around 80% of Pakistani sellers, helping improve trust and operational efficiency. In recent reporting, Pakistan also recorded a 60% year-on-year increase in new suppliers on Alibaba.com, led by apparel, sports and entertainment, and surgical instruments.
