ICCI and Alibaba.com Join Hands to Empower SMEs for Global Markets

ISLAMABAD ( WNAM REPORT ): The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) and Alibaba.com have reached a significant understanding to formalize a strategic partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening the digital export capabilities of Pakistani businesses.
The proposed collaboration will provide ICCI members with tailored onboarding packages on Alibaba.com, while also facilitating training and capacity-building programs to enhance the digital export readiness of Pakistani small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The understanding was reached during the visit of Mr. Shawn Young, General Manager APAC, Alibaba.com, to the ICCI, where he held an interactive session with Islamabad’s business community. He was accompanied by Ms. Summer Gao, Country Manager for Pakistan and Bangladesh. Both sides also agreed to nominate focal persons to maintain close coordination and ensure the timely implementation of mutually beneficial initiatives.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Shawn Young described Pakistan as a market of immense promise, citing its population of over 250 million people, youthful demographics, rapidly growing digital adoption, and strong manufacturing potential. He said Alibaba.com sees tremendous opportunities for Pakistani suppliers to expand their presence in international markets.
“We are keen to work closely with trusted local partners such as ICCI to provide businesses with training, onboarding support, and global visibility, enabling them to compete effectively in the digital economy,” he remarked.
In his welcome address, ICCI President Sardar Tahir Mehmood said that the Chamber represents thousands of businesses from diverse sectors including technology, manufacturing, real estate, retail, and services. He noted that ICCI serves not only as a representative body but also as a bridge connecting Pakistan’s private sector with global business opportunities.
He emphasized that collaboration with Alibaba.com could become a game changer for Pakistan’s export sector by helping local enterprises access international markets through digital platforms. He expressed confidence that the partnership has the potential to generate substantial new export opportunities and reaffirmed ICCI’s commitment to serving as Alibaba.com’s institutional partner in Pakistan for promoting digital trade and SME development.
Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Summer Gao, Country Manager for Pakistan and Bangladesh, said Alibaba.com is committed to building a long-term partnership with Pakistan’s business community. She stressed that by equipping SMEs with the right digital skills, tools, and market access, they can emerge as competitive global exporters. She termed the visit the beginning of a deeper and more impactful collaboration between Alibaba.com and Pakistan’s private sector.
Executive Director Computer Hardware Association of Pakistan (CHAP), Abrar-ul-Haq, highlighted the importance of the proposed ICCI-Alibaba.com partnership, stating that it would create new opportunities for entrepreneurs, exporters, startups, and technology-driven enterprises.
A lively question-and-answer session followed, during which participants discussed practical avenues for enhancing Pakistan’s e-commerce ecosystem, increasing exports, and enabling businesses to capitalize on emerging opportunities in global digital trade.
The session was attended by a large number of business leaders and entrepreneurs, including ICCI Vice President Irfan Chaudhry, Executive Members Ishaq Sial, Raja Naveed Satti and Waseem Chaudhry, Convener ICCI IT, Telecom and Computer Hardware Committee Aizaz Muhammad, Convener ICCI Software Development Committee Dr. Muhammad Usman, and other prominent members of the business community.