Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb met the leadership of Alibaba International Digital Commerce (AIDC) in Bangkok to discuss cooperation on digital payments, e-commerce and technology, including proposals to rationalise e-commerce taxation and to speed up the Pakistan Single Window platform, the finance ministry said on Wednesday. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meetings 2026 in Thailand, and it was held to review cooperation on the digital economy of Pakistan. Discussions covered digital payments, a cashless economy and the transparent delivery of social protection payments and targeted subsidies. The finance minister appreciated the support of Alibaba for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), local brands and exports through Daraz and Alibaba.com, and he invited proposals to rationalise e-commerce taxation in a way that balances fairness with broader tax participation.
Both sides discussed accelerating the Pakistan Single Window e-commerce platform and improving the tracking of cross border payments and export proceeds. Cooperation on cloud infrastructure, artificial intelligence (AI) and tax administration was also reviewed, with an emphasis on integrated data systems, cybersecurity and institutional capacity. The two sides also explored the modernisation of the sorting systems of Pakistan Post and the expansion of agricultural exports to China through the retail network of Alibaba. These topics show that the talks covered payments and taxation as well as logistics and market access, and that the proposals were aimed at both the domestic digital economy and the export sector of the country.
In a separate meeting, Aurangzeb met Engineer Adeeb Y. Al Aama, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), where he highlighted the economic progress of Pakistan, stronger reserves and renewed access to international capital markets. Both sides reviewed the remaining financing tranche and discussed aligning borrowing costs with improved market conditions, and they agreed that technical teams would explore adjustments to pricing and financing volume in order to find a mutually acceptable solution. The finance minister outlined efforts to replace costly short term borrowing with longer maturity financing without increasing external debt. Discussions also covered digital product passports to support textile exports to the European Union and single window connectivity to facilitate trade with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
In an engagement with United Nations Deputy Secretary General Amina J. Mohammed, the finance minister discussed improving the Borrowers’ Forum through peer learning, continuity in governance and an effective virtual secretariat. He emphasised a stronger Global South voice and more responsive international financial institutions. Both sides stressed adequate financing for the Sustainable Development Goals, poverty reduction, social protection and decent jobs, and discussions also covered climate financing gaps, simpler access to funds and stronger capacity to prepare bankable projects. The finance minister further highlighted local currency financing to reduce exchange rate risks, alongside accountable domestic policymaking, and he thanked Amina for appreciating the mediation efforts of Pakistan in the recent crisis between the United States and Iran.
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