Federal Minister for Communications and Postal Services Murad Saeed has claimed that e-commerce business is expected to reach one billion dollars by 2020 in Pakistan. "Around 120 partners have registered themselves with e-commerce portal so far, which will become an umbrella for all online businesses in the country," said the minister while addressing the launching ceremony of e-Commerce Initiative' here on Saturday.
The 'e-Commerce Initiative' at Pakistan Post is aimed at turning around the loss-making entity by introducing innovations. He further said that during the last quarter, Pakistan Post revenue increased by 184 percent. Pakistan Post is on the road to restore and regain its lost glory as premium federal public service organisation by taking progressive initiatives such as e-commerce to meet the rising expectations of the digital consumers and customers of the day, said the minister.
He further said that ever-changing and rising expectations of the customers in the digitalised global market of the day is a huge challenge indeed and this initiative of e-commerce will create a win-win opportunity for the Postal Services of Pakistan in the flourishing e-commerce market.
The federal minister further stated it is true that the decreasing trend in letter mail globally has threatened the traditional postal services but the flourishing parcel mail market in shape of e-commerce has opened great vistas for postal sector across the globe.
He said, "To improve its financial health and make it a commercially viable entity and profitable institution, we are capitalising on the strength of this organisation by utilising its countless footprint, wide and vast delivery network and its round the clock cash remittance service."
In the first phase a full-fledged web portal, i.e, Web Post Shop will be developed which will help making Pakistan Post a hub of commercial activities and a robust platform for collaborating with the players in the e- commerce market, the minister added.
"The move is a right step towards making the Pakistan Post a self-sustainable institution and facilitating the business community," said the minister. He further said that the loss-making entity would be converted into a profitable organisation in one year.
Saeed expressed his confidence that new initiative will lead the department towards financial prosperity. The new service of Pakistan Post will enable customers to enjoy options like online shopping and cash on delivery, he added.
"Our objective is the provision of all facilities to Pakistanis at their doorstep at minimum rates," said the minister, adding that Pakistan Post is going to enter the e-commerce business to compete with the contemporary needs. He further claimed that 120 online institutions have been linked so far.
He further said that packaging standard would be improved and as a pilot project, portrait was sent to Prime Minister Imran Khan. Pakistan Post would adopt modern way of handling by setting aside outdated ways. In collaboration with the Nadra, 15,000 new outlets would be established across the country, he added.
Recently, director general Pakistan Post Dr Naseer Ahmed said that Pakistan Post has the capacity to deliver to online vendors for their cash on delivery products with proof of delivery and prompt reconciliation of their payments. "Many international web portal operators have shown their interest to enter into Pakistan market with Pakistan Post as their delivery partner," he continued.
Director General Pakistan Post Dr Naseer Ahmed and other senior officials of Ministry of Postal Services also attended the launching ceremony.
Ahmed said that Pakistan Post is on its way to make a genuine turnaround by capturing a major chunk in the e-commerce market share in order to make this premium public service organisation a self-sustaining and vibrant entity. Pakistan Post officials said that efforts are under way to expand the e-commerce services from 226 to 500 cities in next two months.
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