Pakistan launching `Made in Pakistan' portal: Anusha

Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunications, Anusha Rahman on Thursday said Pakistan is launching a Made in Pakistan portal where 50,000 artisans will be brought online. "In Pakistan we think development ofSMEs is directly linked with development of cross border e-commerce," she said this while highlighting Pakistan's initiatives taken to promote Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

She was addressing a round-table on the sidelines of World Economic Forum (WEF) on e-commerce: A new era for world trade, making SMBs a global force for development at Davos. According to a message received here, she said through a comprehensive Public-Private Partnership where private sector is represented in large numbers, the government has constituted an E-Commerce Policy Board directly under stewardship of Prime Minister. The Minister said her Ministry, along with Ministry of Commerce is coordinating this policy initiative to formulate a comprehensive E-Commerce policy framework in the country which will help small businesses reap benefits of digital technology.

However, the challenges remain and discussions like these are very welcome in finding ways to address these challenges. "The sooner we find solutions for e-payments, infrastructure capacities, facilitative regulatory framework and credit financing for small businesses, the sooner we will provide SMBs a chance to effectively play their role in inclusive trade and development," she added. The Minister said the answers lie in international cooperation, effective engagement and a true conviction to help the smaller and poorer of this world.

She stressed that lot of corrective measures are needed, so that global south is not treated merely as a pool of customers but given equal opportunities to offer their goods in global markets.

The Minister said, "The availability of digital platforms has eased service delivery and e-education, e-learning, e-health, eagriculture etc are some of avenues where industry can actively work with governments." Anush Rahman said industry and government priorities should be synchronized and sustainable partnership models need to be operationalized under PublicPrivate Partnership to achieve societal and industrial benefits.