Pakistan invites Meta to expand digital, SME cooperation

Pakistan invited global tech giant Meta on Thursday to maintain regular engagement with it and explore areas of shared interest, including digital skills, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) capacity building, and digital literacy.

Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan expressed these views during a meeting with a Meta delegation led by Tehara Punchihewa, Asia-Pacific Public Policy and Vivian Liang, Policy Programs Manager, Asia-Pacific, read a statement.

During the meeting, the minister welcomed Meta’s initiative to train 1,000 Pakistani SMEs in digital business and artificial intelligence (AI), while inviting the company to engage with Pakistan’s digital economy agenda.

“The Meta delegation presented its Small Business Growth Academy, a program that will train 1,000 SMEs across Pakistan between August and November 2026 on Meta’s digital platforms, AI-powered business tools and online marketing strategies.

The program will be implemented by local partner AtomCamp across Pakistan, with participation offered free of cost,” the press release said.

It also shared that the program aimed to improve digital skills, expand market access and support women entrepreneurs and businesses in smaller cities through both physical and online training sessions.

“Government is placing digitisation at the centre of its reform agenda, with digital transformation being pursued across ministries and public institutions to improve governance, service delivery and economic competitiveness,” the commerce minister said.

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He also informed the delegation that Pakistan was currently finalising a comprehensive E-Commerce Policy while broader work on an Artificial Intelligence Policy is also underway to promote innovation, entrepreneurship and technology-driven economic growth.

“AI should not only be viewed as a conversational tool but as a technology capable of improving policy analysis, data-driven decision-making, business intelligence and public sector efficiency,” Khan said.

He added that Pakistan was increasingly focusing on digital trade, e-commerce and the use of technology to expand exports, improve market intelligence and strengthen engagement with international markets through its trade missions abroad.

The commerce minister also encouraged Meta to engage closely with the Directorate General of Trade Organizations (DGTO), chambers of commerce, trade associations, business organisations and other relevant stakeholders to maximise the outreach and impact of the SME training program.

He assured the delegation that the Ministry of Commerce would facilitate introductions and institutional linkages across Pakistan’s business community.

He noted that Pakistan has already initiated digital partnerships with leading global technology companies, including Alibaba and Google, and welcomes further engagement with Meta to support the country’s digital economy.

The Meta delegation thanked the minister for his support of the Small Business Growth Academy and welcomed the opportunity to connect with DGTO and business stakeholders to expand the program’s reach.