SMEDA, Daraz Pakistan explore e-commerce programme for SMEs

LAHORE, Sep 25 (APP): Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) and Daraz Pakistan will explore new avenues of collaboration to help Pakistani small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) build digital capabilities, expand their access to e-commerce and unlock new opportunities for growth.

This initiative aligns with SMEDA’s broader efforts under MoI&P’s strategic direction to strengthen digital capabilities of SMEs, especially women entrepreneurship and inclusive SME development in Pakistan, in line with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s economic vision.

The discussion took place during a meeting between Nadia Jahangir Seth, Chief Executive Officer, SMEDA, and Ben Yi, Managing Director, Daraz Pakistan, where the two organizations explored potential areas of collaboration, including e-commerce education, capacity building and initiatives to support women-led businesses here on Friday.

A key development discussed during the meeting was SMEDA’s upcoming e-commerce programme, which will equip SMEs with practical knowledge and capabilities to participate more effectively in the digital economy.

They also explored opportunities for Daraz to contribute its e-commerce expertise towards the development of a specialized curriculum that can help entrepreneurs navigate the complete online selling journey.

The proposed curriculum could cover practical areas, including setting up and managing an online business, product listings and merchandizing, digital marketing, customer engagement, payments, fulfilment and other essential aspects of running a successful e-commerce business.

The collaboration will also explore dedicated opportunities for women entrepreneurs, with a focus on helping more women-led businesses develop digital skills, market access and confidence needed to establish and grow their presence online.

CEO SMEDA Nadia Jahangir Seth said: “Digital transformation presents a significant opportunity for Pakistan’s SMEs to improve their competitiveness, reach new markets and build sustainable businesses. SMEDA is working to strengthen the capabilities of entrepreneurs through practical and accessible programmes, and e-commerce will be an important part of this journey.”

She said collaboration with industry leaders such as Daraz can help ensure that entrepreneurs receive relevant, market-oriented skills. “We are particularly focused on creating greater opportunities for women entrepreneurs through targeted capacity building, digital inclusion and market access,” she added.

Ben Yi, Managing Director, Daraz Pakistan, said, “Pakistan’s SME sector has enormous potential to benefit from the growth of e-commerce, but unlocking that potential requires more than simply putting businesses online. Entrepreneurs need the right knowledge, tools and support to build sustainable digital businesses.”

“Our discussion with SMEDA is an important step towards exploring how we can bring Daraz’s experience and capabilities to a broader community of entrepreneurs, particularly women-led businesses. We look forward to working together on practical initiatives that can help SMEs participate and succeed in the digital economy,” he said.

The meeting reflects a shared commitment to strengthen Pakistan’s digital entrepreneurship ecosystem and enable SMEs to take greater advantage of the opportunities presented by e-commerce.

As SMEDA prepares to launch its new e-commerce programme, both organizations will continue exploring potential areas of collaboration, including curriculum development, capacity building and initiatives designed to increase women’s participation in the digital economy.