More digital opportunities for women will reshape Pakistan’s e-commerce landscape, Anusha Rehman

The Minister of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MITT) said while addressing an event in Geneva, Switzerland, Anusha Rehman emphasized upon the countries to be included in decision making, regarding the policies and regulations. This will make us get maximum benefits of technology which is advancing at very fast pace, she said while speaking in the conference.

Anusha Rehman attended an event as a speaker, panelist in Ministerial Roundtables E-Commerce this week in Geneva, Switzerland. The minister said that in order to get maximum benefits from 4th Industrial Revolution for humanity new approaches have to be undertaken by authorities.

The event is a week long and it is named as“Development Dimensions of Digital Platforms”. It is being taken place at United Nations Headquarters in Geneva from April 16-20 to discuss growing role of digital platforms as well as concrete steps to harnessing these evolving technologies for sustainable development. The event was organized by United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and Anusha Rehman was invited on a special invitation extended by Secretary-General UNCTAD.

The minister said while addressing the ministerial roundtable session of “Advancing Women’s Digital Opportunity,” on development opportunity and challenges associated with evolving digital economy. The minister said that women are an important part of the economic growth of any country. They can achieve sustainable development and are essential to achieving gender equality, poverty eradication, and inclusive economic growth.

Anusha Rehman told about her initiatives in Pakistan such as Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for Girls programme.

The global leaders agreed that digital platforms are increasingly used by people and enterprises, for various objectives which facilitate e-commerce, online and mobile payments as well as social interaction. Anusha Rehman added that advent of technology in many developing countries has come as a revolution and not as an evolution. Hence there is a need that governments along with private sector showcase how technology could be used for socio-economic development and not used as just social media platforms.

The event also had a workshop “An E-commerce Agenda for Development: Revisiting Friends of E-commerce Development (FEDs) Roadmap.” which was attended by Anusha Rehman, by participating as a speaker and panelist.

The participants shared views on the impact the FED Roadmap has had on their efforts to create effective public policies addressed to promote an e-Commerce environment that maintains development at its essence. Anusha Rehman represented Pakistan by highlighting efforts and contribution which the government has made to further uptake of e-commerce utility and platforms in Pakistan for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

There is an e-commerce portal (Pak Portal) to launch by Anusha Rehman. The MITT head said that the project will serve as a platform to provide direct access to markets, using digital e-commerce platform, Made in Pakistan. Anusha Rehman while meeting the Secretary-General UNCTAD, reflected upon achievements of Pakistan in the area of ICT. She also discussed her future plans for continued growth in this sector to enable transformation into “Digital Pakistan.” In a meeting with President of World Economic Forum (WEF) Borge Brende, Anusha Rehman discussed opportunities for mutual collaboration, especially on issues related to ICTs and Cyber Governance.

To introduce Pakistan’s candidature for the election of International Telecommunication Union Council, the Minister attended a reception hosted by Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva. This reception was attended by a large number of permanent representatives, ambassadors, and members of various ministries of UN Member States.

The efforts of Pakistan were highly appreciated on this platform. UNCTAD’s E-Commerce Week is an important forum for Ministers, international organizations, development banks, senior government officials, Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), academics and civil society to discuss agenda of carrying forward the development of e-commerce eco-system.