Connecting Regions: Trade Solutions in the Digital Era

News Desk 

Islamabad: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) convened government officials and industry leaders at a two-day conference focused on leveraging digital trade for climate, health, and economic solutions through enhanced regional integration. 

Organized in collaboration with the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), the event highlighted cross-border digital strategies to address emerging challenges.

On the first day, Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Shazia Fatima Khawaja, emphasized Pakistan’s significant tech export growth, which has increased by 25 percent.

She highlighted government initiatives aimed at supporting youth-driven startups and e-entrepreneurship.

Digital Strategy 2030

ADB’s Regional Head for Central and West Asia, Lyaziza Sabyrova, shared insights on the CAREC program, which promotes regional integration, economic reform, and digitalization with a focus on climate and gender.

CAREC has been instrumental in advancing education and health, broadening its impact through technology.

Sayed Ashraf Siddiqui, Joint Secretary at Pakistan’s Economic Affairs Division, highlighted the Digital Strategy 2030, which seeks to reduce trade barriers through technology, fostering connectivity across Central and West Asia.

Pakistan Single Window

Syed Aftab Haider, CEO of Pakistan Single Window (PSW), underscored technology’s power in advancing global trade, citing significant reductions in bureaucratic processes. PSW’s digital platform has streamlined operations across air, land, and dry ports, setting the stage for efficient cross-border transactions.

Verigram’s CEO, Wahat Bastimiyev, discussed Kazakhstan’s rapidly evolving digital banking sector, where 92 percent internet penetration and 89 percent cashless transactions reflect a substantial shift. This digital shift, he noted, could enhance regional e-payment systems and financial inclusivity.

Gender and Climate

Former WTO Ambassador Dr Manzoor Ahmad advocated for Pakistan’s engagement in trade agreements that prioritize gender equality and climate action. He highlighted Pakistan’s reliance on international trade for 50 percent of its tax revenue, compared to a global average below 5 percent.

Experts including Mohammad Shoaib Zafar, National Advisor at the International Trade Centre, and Engineer Ahad Nazir called for capacity-building initiatives and data governance improvements. Dr Usman Qadir from PIDE stressed the importance of PSW in advancing trade policy effectiveness.

Digital Health 

In a panel moderated by Syed Ali Wasif Naqvi of SDPI, health experts highlighted digital health advances. Dr Shahzad Ali Khan from the Health Services Academy discussed telemedicine and AI in hospital systems, while Dr. Minhaj ur Siraj noted the importance of patient-centered digital solutions, given the critical role of human interaction in healthcare.

Dr Shahzad Ali Khan projected that Pakistan, with its robust healthcare workforce, could lead the CAREC region in digital health initiatives. He emphasized that digital platforms for infectious disease tracking could revolutionize public health response times, promoting transparency and accountability.

The conference concluded with a call for a holistic approach to digital trade integration, urging collaboration across sectors to foster sustainable growth in the digital age.