‘PayPal, Alibaba due soon for key talks’

SIALKOT: Khurram Dastgir Khan, minister of commerce, on Monday said the managements of global online payment system provider, PayPal, and Chinese e-commerce giant, Alibaba, were due soon in Pakistan to hold key talks with the government.

“Negotiations are underway with Alibaba for reduced registration fees for the Sialkot businessmen, while all out efforts are also being made to bring PayPal and other payment gateways to Pakistan,” Khan told the members of Pakistan Sports Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PSGMEA) and other trade bodies here. 

“We expect PayPal to start its regular services in Pakistan shortly, as, in this regard, legislation is underway under the supervision of State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). All these efforts are a part of the government initiative to introduce e-commerce to facilitate the business community.” 

Moving forward, the minister said the government was utilising all channels for the promotion of trade and commerce activities in the country. “In this regard business community across the country is being motivated to explore new venues for introducing Pakistani products,” the commerce minister said adding, “Special attention is being given for facilitating exporters so to boost exports.”

To a question, Khan said the government had appointed the most competent commercial officers, that too on merit, at the embassies of Pakistan. “We hope they will turn out to be instrumental in enhancing the export volume of the country,” Khan said.

Responding to another, the minister said the supply of power and gas to industrial sector was the top priority of the government and the situation has considerably improved compared to the past years. "It is an outcome of the present government's groundbreaking initiatives,” he said.