Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb met with senior leadership of Alibaba International Digital Commerce (AIDC) in Bangkok to discuss expanding cooperation in digital payments, e-commerce, and technology. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the World Bank Group–IMF Annual Meetings 2026, according to the Finance Ministry.
Discussions focused on promoting a cashless economy, strengthening digital payment systems, and ensuring transparent delivery of social protection payments and targeted subsidies. Aurangzeb appreciated Alibaba’s support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), local brands, and Pakistani exports through Daraz and Alibaba.com.
The finance minister also invited proposals to improve Pakistan’s e-commerce tax framework while encouraging broader tax participation. Both sides explored accelerating the Pakistan Single Window e-commerce platform, improving cross-border payment and export-proceeds tracking, and expanding cooperation in cloud infrastructure, artificial intelligence, tax administration, and cybersecurity.
The meeting also covered modernising Pakistan Post’s sorting systems and increasing agricultural exports to China through Alibaba’s retail network.
In a separate meeting, Aurangzeb met International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) CEO Engineer Adeeb Y. Al Aama to review financing arrangements and discuss aligning borrowing costs with improved market conditions. Both sides agreed that technical teams would explore adjustments to pricing and financing volumes. The minister also highlighted Pakistan’s efforts to secure longer-maturity financing while avoiding an increase in external debt.
Further discussions covered digital product passports to support textile exports to the European Union and improved single-window connectivity to facilitate trade with ASEAN markets. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Pakistan’s export competitiveness.
Aurangzeb also met UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed to discuss strengthening the Borrowers’ Forum, increasing the voice of the Global South in international financial institutions, and improving access to development and climate financing.
The discussions highlighted the need for adequate funding for the Sustainable Development Goals, poverty reduction, social protection, and job creation. The minister also emphasised local-currency financing to reduce exchange-rate risks and thanked Amina for acknowledging Pakistan’s mediation efforts during the recent US–Iran crisis.
