Latest news with #FaizAhmadChadhar
Business Recorder
12-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
TDAP launches inaugural GLOBE Pakistan Summit
ISLAMABAD: The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), under the Ministry of Commerce, hosted the inaugural GLOBE Pakistan Summit 2025 at a local hotel in Islamabad — a first-of-its-kind policy platform led by TDAP to accelerate Pakistan's digital trade, e-commerce ecosystem, and regional business connectivity. The summit was inaugurated by Rana Ihsan Afzal Khan, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Commerce. Faiz Ahmad Chadhar, Chief Executive TDAP, delivered the keynote address, setting the tone for the day's discourse on digital transformation, trade facilitation, and Pakistan's e-commerce vision. Jawad Paul, Secretary Commerce, in his remarks, appreciated TDAP's pivotal role as the implementation arm of the Ministry in operationalizing the National E-Commerce Policy. He reaffirmed the government's commitment to creating a compatible, secure, and globally connected digital trade environment. Amna Baloch, Foreign Secretary, highlighted the strategic importance of economic diplomacy in expanding Pakistan's trade footprint and strengthening regional connectivity through digital corridors. The event witnessed strong diplomatic participation from the embassies and missions of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkiye, Turkmenistan, KSA, China, USA, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Egypt — reaffirming the growing regional and international interest in Pakistan's e-commerce potential. Also in attendance was James Dong, President International Markets of Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group, whose presence underscored Alibaba's strategic interest in Pakistan's e-commerce ecosystem. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
03-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Pakistan set to partner with Alibaba to boost exports
Pakistan will formalise a strategic partnership with Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba next week in a bid to boost exports through digital trade infrastructure. Faiz Ahmad Chadhar, Chief Executive of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), revealed on the sidelines of the 18th International Conference on Mobile Commerce 2025 to Business Recorder that an agreement signing ceremony will take place on July 10 in Islamabad. 'We are partnering with Alibaba to revolutionise all Pakistani products that are discovered, sold and shifted across borders. It is one of the two global e-commerce giants including Amazon,' Chadhar said while addressing the one-day conference organised by Total Communications in Karachi. The collaboration aims to strengthen Pakistan's digital supply chain ecosystem and integrate it with secure and real-time payment systems such as Raast, Pakistan's instant payment platform operated by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). Pakistan's e-commerce sector faces operational costs surge amid new taxes 'Our vision is to create a single unified digital supply chain ecosystem, supported by secured and real-time digital payment solutions like Raast.' He painted a vivid picture of the envisioned system: 'Imagine a small business in Skardu receiving a bulk order from Alibaba. The payment arrives instantly into its mobile wallet via Raast. The same wallet is used to pay a supplier in Karachi on Raast. Inventory is hit, tracked, and restarted – without cash, without bank, and without barriers.' 'That is the power of digital commerce,' he added. 'That is the vision we are materializing right now. Raast makes this region not only possible but practical and scalable. This is not theoretical. It is actionable. This is the future we are building with your support.' Chadhar emphasised that both TDAP and the Ministry of Commerce are 'fully committed to driving this digital shift, not just as a policy priority, but as a national imperative.' At the same conference, Faisal Mahmood, Head of Digital Public Infrastructure at Karandaaz Pakistan, raised concerns about SBP's sandbox initiative. He questioned whether the central bank has the required funding, expertise, and technical support to effectively run pilot phases of digital projects. To recall, the SBP launched its sandbox guidelines around two months ago, in May 2025. Soon, it would invite all entities – whether regulated or unregulated – such as banks, fintechs, and startups, to test their digital business ideas and potential solutions in a controlled environment with relaxed regulations during the testing phase of the business ideas. Ali Imran Khan, Deputy CIO at Meezan Bank, underlined open banking as the future, enabling personalised solutions through consent-based data sharing. Mashreq Pakistan CEO Muhammad Hamayun Sajjad stressed that while cash has remained the 'king of the ring' digitalisation is now not an option but essential for growth.
Business Recorder
03-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Pakistan to partner with Alibaba to boost exports
Pakistan will formalize a strategic partnership with Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba next week in a bid to boost exports through digital trade infrastructure. Faiz Ahmad Chadhar, Chief Executive of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), revealed on the sidelines of the 18th International Conference on Mobile Commerce 2025 to Business Recorder that an agreement signing ceremony will take place on July 10 in Islamabad. 'We are partnering with Alibaba to revolutionize all Pakistani products that are discovered, sold and shifted across borders. It is one of the two global e-commerce giants including Amazon,' Chadhar said while addressing the one-day conference organized by Total Communications in Karachi. The collaboration aims to strengthen Pakistan's digital supply chain ecosystem and integrate it with secure and real-time payment systems such as Raast, Pakistan's instant payment platform operated by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). Pakistan's e-commerce sector faces operational costs surge amid new taxes 'Our vision is to create a single unified digital supply chain ecosystem, supported by secured and real-time digital payment solutions like Raast.' He painted a vivid picture of the envisioned system: 'Imagine a small business in Skardu receiving a bulk order from Alibaba. The payment arrives instantly into its mobile wallet via Raast. The same wallet is used to pay a supplier in Karachi on Raast. Inventory is hit, tracked, and restarted – without cash, without bank, and without barriers.' 'That is the power of digital commerce,' he added. 'That is the vision we are materializing right now. Raast makes this region not only possible but practical and scalable. This is not theoretical. It is actionable. This is the future we are building with your support.' Chadhar emphasized that both TDAP and the Ministry of Commerce are 'fully committed to driving this digital shift, not just as a policy priority, but as a national imperative.' At the same conference, Faisal Mahmood, Head of Digital Public Infrastructure at Karandaaz Pakistan, raised concerns about SBP's sandbox initiative. He questioned whether the central bank has the required funding, expertise, and technical support to effectively run pilot phases of digital projects. To recall, the SBP launched its sandbox guidelines around two months ago, in May 2025. Soon, it would invite all entities – whether regulated or unregulated – such as banks, fintechs, and startups, to test their digital business ideas and potential solutions in a controlled environment with relaxed regulations during the testing phase of the business ideas. Ali Imran Khan, Deputy CIO at Meezan Bank, underlined open banking as the future, enabling personalized solutions through consent-based data sharing. Mashreq Pakistan CEO Muhammad Hamayun Sajjad stressed that while cash has remained the 'king of the ring' digitalization is now not an option but essential for growth.
Business Recorder
28-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Women entrepreneurs meet TDAP chief
KARACHI: A delegation of women entrepreneurs from Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry headed by Ms Shabana Asif called on Faiz Ahmad Chadhar, the Chief Executive Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, in TDAP head office to discuss role of women entrepreneurs in economic and trade development of Pakistan. Key issues faced by women entrepreneurs were candidly discussed, along with actionable solutions to enhance access to international markets, capacity-building, and visibility in foreign trade initiatives. The meeting also covered the inclusion of sector specific delegations for women entrepreneurs for participation in the international trade fairs, exhibitions etc under the TDAP's upcoming Annual Business Plan 2025-26 The CE TDAP apprised the delegation that TDAP has special initiatives for women entrepreneurs. TDAP has exclusive Women Entrepreneur Division, headed by the Senior Director General officer, to guide, encourage and support women enterprises. TDAP conducts various capacity building seminars, workshops and trainings in different areas of Pakistan to address critical challenge of capacity building being faced by the women engaged in export business. TDAP also offers enhanced level of subsidy to women exhibitors in international exhibitions and has fixed quota for their participation in such international events. The CE emphasized upon the delegation to actively participate in TDAP's international exhibitions for contributing in export enhancement of the country. Irum Fawad, owner of I.F designs studio, and Sadaf Raza, the founder member of Mirpurkhas Chamber of Commerce and Industry, requested the CE TDAP for supporting women entrepreneurs' delegation to Turkiye and other developing and developed markets for exploratory and business purposes. The CE TDAP urged upon them to identify potential women exporters and share proposals for appropriate review of and favorable decision by TDAP's Women Entrepreneur Division. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
18-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
TDAP and PPMA discuss formation of PHARMEX
KARACHI: A high-level meeting between the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and the Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) was held at TDAP Headquarters, Karachi Tuesday. The meeting, chaired by Chief Executive TDAP Faiz Ahmad Chadhar, focused on the way forward for the establishment of PHARMEX – a proposed Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Company dedicated to accelerating and facilitating the growth of Pakistan's pharmaceutical exports. Senior officials from TDAP and leading office bearers of PPMA, including Chairman Tauqeer ul Haq and Chairperson (South) Dr Mahwash Khan, attended the session. The participants deliberated on the potential of the pharmaceutical sector to expand into international markets and the urgent need for a specialized export promotion platform like PHARMEX. The Chairman PPMA informed the meeting that the proposal for PHARMEX had already been shared with the Ministry of Commerce and the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). A final draft working paper, including the proposed Memorandum and Articles of Association, was submitted on 2nd May 2025. Following discussions chaired by the Minister for Commerce on 4th June 2025, it was decided that PHARMEX will be placed under TDAP for execution and oversight. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
