The government is planning to establish an artificial intelligence based trade intelligence system that will combine trade information from multiple government and private sector sources to identify export opportunities and emerging international markets. Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan discussed the proposed system during separate meetings with representatives of Pakistan Digital Authority and Sky 47, where discussions focused on artificial intelligence, secure data exchange, sovereign cloud infrastructure and the use of technology for trade analysis. The proposed system would bring together data held by the Ministry of Commerce, its attached departments, chambers of commerce and Pakistani trade officers stationed in more than 55 countries. The government intends to use this combined information to develop a more connected view of international trade activity and provide policymakers and exporters with information that can support decisions related to exports and market expansion. Jam Kamal said Pakistan trade data is a valuable national asset and should be protected while also being used more effectively. The proposed approach would use artificial intelligence to analyse large volumes of information and identify patterns that may point to emerging trade trends, potential export opportunities and new international markets.
The proposed trade intelligence system is expected to address the challenge of trade information being distributed across different institutions and sources. Data held by government departments, chambers of commerce and overseas trade officers can contain information about international demand, market conditions and trade activity, but bringing these sources together could give authorities a broader basis for analysis. Under the plan, artificial intelligence would be used to process this information and help identify opportunities that may not be immediately visible through conventional analysis. The system could provide policymakers with information about changing trade patterns while also giving exporters additional insight into markets where demand for Pakistani products may be developing. Jam Kamal directed officials to explore the use of artificial intelligence specifically for identifying emerging trends, export opportunities and new international markets. The objective is to make trade information more useful for decision-making rather than simply maintaining it across separate databases and institutions. By connecting these sources, the government aims to create a trade intelligence platform that can support both policy decisions and private sector activity.
Data security and infrastructure were also central to the discussions surrounding the proposed system. Pakistan Digital Authority briefed the commerce minister on data governance, secure data exchange and the National Digital Master Plan, while Sky 47 presented proposals covering data centres, cybersecurity, disaster recovery and sovereign cloud services. Jam Kamal stressed the need to increase local data centre capacity so that critical government information can be stored securely within Pakistan. He also called for a faster and more transparent cloud procurement process for government institutions. The emphasis on sovereign cloud infrastructure is connected to concerns over how sensitive government information is stored, processed and shared, particularly when artificial intelligence systems are involved. The minister also raised concerns about the use of foreign public artificial intelligence platforms for confidential government matters and directed officials to prepare practical proposals for secure data integration and sovereign cloud infrastructure. These measures are intended to create an infrastructure environment in which sensitive trade information can be processed while maintaining appropriate controls over government data.
The government is also considering the possible development of an Open Network for Digital Commerce tailored to Pakistan needs as part of the broader discussions around digital trade infrastructure. The proposed network, together with the artificial intelligence based trade intelligence system, could provide additional digital tools for connecting trade information, analysing market conditions and supporting exporters. However, the AI trade intelligence system remains at the planning and proposal stage, with officials tasked with developing practical approaches for data integration, secure infrastructure and artificial intelligence use. Its eventual effectiveness will depend on the quality and availability of information provided by government departments, chambers of commerce and overseas trade officers, as well as the infrastructure used to process and secure that information. The government intends to use artificial intelligence to turn existing trade data into actionable information that can help identify potential markets and export opportunities. If implemented, the system could give policymakers and businesses a more data-driven method for assessing international trade trends and determining where Pakistani products may have opportunities for increased market access.
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