BEIJING: Pakistan’s Consul General in Shanghai, Shehzad Ahmad Khan, highlighted the country’s rapid digital transformation and invited Chinese investment to further enhance Pakistan’s digital landscape.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 3rd Global Digital Trade Expo in Hangzhou, China, the Consul General emphasized that Pakistan’s digital sector offers immense potential for global investors, particularly from China.
“Pakistan is eager to collaborate with global partners, especially China, to harness the full potential of digital trade,” Khan stated, underscoring China’s leadership in digital innovation. He expressed Pakistan’s keenness to learn from China’s successes and foster partnerships to capitalize on the growing digital economy.
Hangzhou, the host city, has become a major hub for digital trade, experiencing significant growth since it was designated China’s first comprehensive pilot zone for cross-border e-commerce in 2015. The number of cross-border e-commerce sellers in the city has surged from fewer than 100 to over 63,000, and in 2023, the city’s digital trade volume reached RMB 319 billion, according to China Economic Net (CEN).
The Consul General lauded China’s progress in digital trade and outlined Pakistan’s own advancements in digital infrastructure, including the development of cloud computing, data centers, and the Internet of Things (IoT). He noted that Pakistan’s supportive policies, such as the Pakistan National ICT Industry Development White Paper, have been pivotal in expanding computing power and integrating smart applications across key sectors.
“These efforts are not only driving Pakistan’s digital transformation but also creating multiplier effects that boost the country’s overall economic output,” Khan emphasized.
Highlighting the broader scope of Pakistan-China digital cooperation, the Consul General said that the collaboration extends beyond infrastructure investment. Both nations are working together to cultivate a new generation of ICT experts who will shape Pakistan’s digital future.
Pakistan’s Consul General stressed the importance of increasing digital skills investment as a key pillar of this partnership, and he extended an open invitation to Chinese enterprises to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan’s burgeoning digital sector.
The 3rd Global Digital Trade Expo, held from September 25 to 29, attracted participation from over 1,500 enterprises from 32 countries and regions, as well as 30,000 professional buyers. The event facilitated the signing of 113 projects, including notable collaborations such as the UN International Trade Centre’s Hangzhou Innovation Centre, the China-Kazakhstan Smart Port, and the ‘Belt and Road’ China-Africa Cooperation Industrial Park.
