Initiative targets training for 10,000 businesses, offers financial support of up to Rs150,000 per eligible enterprise and facilitates digital onboarding on the global B2B platform.
Islamabad, October 30, 2026: Pakistan’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have been offered an opportunity to access international markets through global e-commerce platform Alibaba.com under a strategic partnership with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA).
The initiative, launched under the Ministry of Industries and Production, aims to strengthen the digital capabilities, export readiness and international market access of Pakistani micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Officials said the collaboration builds on a memorandum of understanding signed between SMEDA and Alibaba.com in May 2026 during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to China.
Under the programme, both organisations will arrange capacity-building and onboarding activities to train 10,000 Pakistani MSMEs and facilitate the registration of up to 2,000 eligible businesses on Alibaba.com’s global business-to-business (B2B) platform.
Financial support of up to Rs150,000
A key feature of the initiative is reimbursement-based financial assistance of up to Rs150,000 for each eligible MSME through SMEDA.
Participating businesses will also receive preferential pricing, onboarding assistance and technical guidance from Alibaba.com, alongside training and capacity-building support from SMEDA.
Priority will be given to export-oriented sectors, including sports goods and sportswear, textiles, agricultural machinery and automobile parts.
Officials said the selection process would be transparent, with eligible businesses receiving support to improve their competitiveness and connect with international buyers.
How businesses can register
Eligible businesses will have access to training, digital onboarding, preferential pricing, SMEDA’s financial support and opportunities to connect with global buyers through Alibaba.com.
Earlier, Alibaba.com organised its ‘AI Export × New Supply Growth Summit 2026’ in Faisalabad, marking the launch of DigiSME Pakistan in the city. The event brought together SMEs and other stakeholders to explore artificial intelligence tools, digital commerce and international B2B opportunities.
SMEDA Chief Executive Officer Nadia Jahangir Seth said the initiative reflected the government’s broader economic vision of promoting exports and using technology to create new opportunities for business growth.
She said the partnership with Alibaba.com was part of continuing efforts to help Pakistani MSMEs expand their international presence.
Both organisations reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation to improve digital capabilities, expand market access and enhance the global competitiveness of Pakistani businesses.