SMEDA, Daraz plan e-commerce training for SMEs

SMEDA and Daraz Pakistan have begun discussions on a partnership to equip small and medium enterprises with e-commerce skills, a move aimed at bringing more Pakistani businesses into the digital economy.

The talks took place in Lahore between SMEDA Chief Executive Officer Nadia Jahangir Seth and Daraz Pakistan Managing Director Ben Yi, Minute Mirror reported. The two sides explored potential cooperation in e-commerce education, capacity building and initiatives for women-led businesses.

The discussion follows SMEDA's work under the Ministry of Industries and Production's strategic direction to strengthen digital capabilities of SMEs, with particular attention to women entrepreneurs, in line with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's economic vision.

A key item on the agenda was SMEDA's upcoming e-commerce programme, which is intended to give SMEs practical knowledge to participate more effectively in the digital economy. The meeting also explored having Daraz contribute its e-commerce expertise to a specialised curriculum that would guide entrepreneurs through the online selling process, from setting up an online business and managing product listings to digital marketing, customer engagement, payments and fulfilment.

Both organisations also discussed dedicated opportunities for women entrepreneurs, including help with digital skills, market access and the confidence to establish an online presence.

Seth said digital transformation gives Pakistan's SMEs a chance to improve competitiveness, reach new markets and build sustainable businesses. She said SMEDA is working to strengthen entrepreneurs' capabilities through practical and accessible programmes, and that e-commerce will be an important part of this work. She added that the authority is particularly focused on creating opportunities for women entrepreneurs through targeted capacity building, digital inclusion and market access.

Yi said Pakistan's SME sector has enormous potential to benefit from e-commerce growth, but unlocking that potential requires more than simply putting businesses online. Entrepreneurs need the right knowledge, tools and support to build sustainable digital businesses, he said. He described the discussion with SMEDA as an important step toward bringing Daraz's experience to a broader community of entrepreneurs, especially women-led businesses.

As SMEDA prepares to launch its new e-commerce programme, both organisations said they will continue exploring collaboration on curriculum development, capacity building and measures to increase women's participation in the digital economy.