Pakistan Single Window (PSW) and the Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Company (PHDEC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to improve the digital trade readiness of Pakistan’s horticulture exporters and processors. The partnership will focus on helping businesses understand and use digital trade systems to manage export procedures, meet regulatory requirements and prepare for international markets. Through training sessions, webinars and workshops, the two organisations aim to make digital trade processes more accessible to businesses dealing in fruits, vegetables and other horticultural products. The agreement connects PSW’s digital trade infrastructure with PHDEC’s sector-specific expertise to address practical challenges faced by exporters as they move towards technology-enabled operations.
Under the agreement, the organisations will arrange capacity-building activities covering PSW registration, system navigation, export documentation and relevant regulatory procedures. The training will connect these requirements with the daily operations of horticulture businesses, helping exporters and processors understand how to complete digital processes more independently. Greater familiarity with the platform could help businesses manage submissions, organise documentation and address procedural requirements without relying excessively on external assistance. The initiative is particularly relevant for businesses seeking to participate in international markets, where accurate documentation and compliance with importing-country requirements are important parts of export operations. PHDEC, a government-owned company operating under the Ministry of Commerce, will lead engagement with the horticulture sector and help identify businesses that could benefit from the programme.
Data protection and privacy will also feature in the training activities. As exporters increasingly use digital platforms to submit information and manage trade-related documentation, protecting sensitive commercial data becomes an important operational consideration. The partnership aims to help businesses understand how to handle their information securely while using PSW services. Both organisations will also provide guidance on operational issues associated with the platform and explore information-sharing arrangements in line with PSW’s Trade Data Sharing and Exchange Policy. In addition to training, the collaboration will provide a channel for identifying sector-specific obstacles that prevent businesses from adopting digital trade procedures. Addressing these challenges could help make digital systems more practical for exporters and improve their ability to manage administrative requirements.
The implementation of the agreement will be coordinated through joint working groups with equal representation from PSW and PHDEC. These groups will oversee activities, monitor progress and periodically assess outcomes to ensure the programme responds to the needs of the horticulture sector. PSW provides digital infrastructure for trade-related procedures, while PHDEC works to develop Pakistan’s horticulture industry and expand its export potential. Bringing their roles together could help businesses connect national digital trade systems with the practical requirements of exporting agricultural produce. The initiative does not announce specific export targets or financial commitments, but it establishes a framework for improving digital capabilities across the sector. Its impact will depend on participation by exporters, the relevance of training and the ability of businesses to apply what they learn to their daily operations. By improving familiarity with digital registration, documentation and compliance processes, the partnership aims to help horticulture exporters operate more confidently and pursue opportunities in international markets.
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