Govt pushes for digital trade, asks private sector to adopt automation

KARACHI: As Pakistan accelerates the digitisation of trade, the government is urging private sector stakeholders and regulatory bodies to actively participate in the transition towards a paperless and fully automated cross-border trade system, CEO of the Pakistan Single Window (PSW) Aftab Haider said.

During a meeting with a delegation led by Asif Parvez, CEO of Galaxefi, a logisticstech company, Haider was briefed on the company’s cutting-edge digital trade solution, which aims to transform cross-border trade through real-time tracking, automated documentation, and streamlined logistics. Unlike conventional platforms that still rely on manual processes, Galaxefi provides a transparent, fast and reliable system designed to modernise trade operations, the delegation explained.

The PSW chief commended Galaxefi’s efforts in digitising trade and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to encouraging private firms to automate trade processes. He emphasised that the PSW is playing a key role in this transformation, aligning with the government’s broader initiatives under Digital Pakistan and Uraan Pakistan.

Despite progress in trade automation, nearly 70 per cent of private sector activities, including freight forwarders, non-vessel operating common carriers (NVOCCs), and related service providers, still operate on legacy systems. This reliance on outdated processes leads to inefficiencies, increased costs and lost revenue. The manual handling of post-shipment documentation and regulatory compliance has long hindered trade, costing billions in lost opportunities.

As global competitors adopt real-time digital trade solutions to optimise supply chains, Pakistan risks falling behind if immediate steps are not taken. The meeting also underscored the importance of adopting modern trade technologies, which will be a focal point at the Pakistan Logistics and Shipping Summit (PLSS) 2025, set to take place in Karachi on February 20.