BANGKOK, Thailand: Pakistan has stepped up efforts to expand its digital economy, improve e-commerce taxation and boost exports through technology partnerships, as Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb met senior leadership of Alibaba International Digital Commerce (AIDC) on the sidelines of the World Bank Group–IMF Annual Meetings 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand.
The discussions focused on digital payments, cashless transactions, artificial intelligence (AI), cloud infrastructure and measures to strengthen Pakistan’s e-commerce ecosystem, according to a statement issued by the Finance Ministry.
Finance Minister Discusses Digital Economy, E-Commerce, and Technology Cooperation with Alibaba International Digital Commerce
Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, met with the leadership of Alibaba International Digital Commerce (AIDC) on the sidelines of the World Bank Group–IMF Annual Meetings 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand, to review cooperation on Pakistan’s digital economy.
Discussions covered digital payments, a cashless economy and transparent delivery of social protection payments and targeted subsidies. The Finance Minister appreciated Alibaba’s support for SMEs, local brands and exports through Daraz and https://t.co/l6CnjOzQhT. He also invited proposals to rationalize e-commerce taxation, balancing fairness with broader tax participation.
Both sides discussed accelerating the Pakistan Single Window e-commerce platform and improving the tracking of cross-border payments and export proceeds. Cooperation on cloud infrastructure, artificial intelligence (AI) and tax administration was also reviewed, with emphasis on integrated data systems, cybersecurity and institutional capacity.
The two sides also explored modernizing Pakistan Post’s sorting systems and expanding agricultural exports to China through Alibaba’s retail network.
— Ministry of Finance, Government of Pakistan (@Financegovpk) October 15, 2026
Aurangzeb appreciated Alibaba’s contribution to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), local brands and Pakistani exporters through Daraz and Alibaba.com. He invited the company to submit proposals for rationalising e-commerce taxation while ensuring fairness and expanding participation in the tax system.
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Pakistan seeks faster digital trade and export growth
The finance minister and Alibaba representatives discussed accelerating the Pakistan Single Window e-commerce platform and improving the tracking of cross-border payments and export proceeds.
وزیر خزانہ محمد اورنگزیب کی بنکاک میں علی بابا ڈیجیٹل کامرس کی قیادت سے ملاقات۔ پاکستان کی ڈیجیٹل معیشت، برآمدات اور جدید ٹیکنالوجی کے فروغ پر تبادلۂ خیال۔ دراز اور علی بابا ڈاٹ کام کے ذریعے مقامی برانڈز اور ایس ایم ایز کی ترقی پر گفتگو۔ ای کامرس کے ٹیکس نظام میں بہتری اور کلاؤڈ انفراسٹرکچر میں تعاون کا جائزہ۔ علی بابا نیٹ ورک کے ذریعے چین کو پاکستانی زرعی برآمدات بڑھانے کے امکانات پر تبادلۂ خیال۔
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) October 15, 2026
They also explored cooperation in AI, cloud infrastructure and tax administration, with particular emphasis on integrated data systems, cybersecurity and institutional capacity.
The discussions covered digital payment systems and the potential for a cashless economy, including transparent delivery of social protection payments and targeted subsidies to eligible beneficiaries.
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Both sides also considered modernising Pakistan Post’s mail-sorting systems and expanding agricultural exports to China through Alibaba’s retail network, potentially creating additional opportunities for Pakistani producers to access international markets.
