Picture used for illustrative purpose only.

Tanvir Usman, Gulf Today

The US e-commerce giant Amazon has decided to add Pakistan on its approved seller list, Abdul Razak Dawood, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Commerce and Investment, said on Thursday.

"We have finally made it. We have been engaged with Amazon since last year and now it’s happening. It is a great opportunity for our youth, small and medium enterprises and women entrepreneurs," Dawood said in a tweet.

"An important milestone of the e-commerce policy has been achieved through teamwork by many people across the globe," he added.

Prime Minister Imran Khan reacting to the news tweeted: “A great development as Amazon has finally approved that our sellers can export their goods through their system. Amazon starting operations in Pak will open opportunities for our youth as it will enable a new breed of young men & women entrepreneurs to join the export market.” 

Sunny Ali, CEO of Extreme Commerce, praised Commerce Ministry and government officials for their efforts in convincing the Amazon management to include Pakistan in its approved countries’ list.

Ali termed the development a great news for Pakistani businesses and merchants who want to sell their products in international markets.
He said that Amazon virtual assistants based in Pakistan will be in high demand as more businesses will now turn to sell on e-commerce giant Amazon.

The photo has been used for illustrative purposes.

“The new era of e-commerce boom for Pakistan is about to start. Get your agencies ready for more businesses, you are about to get flooded with Pakistani manufacturers and brands which would need your services to take them to Amazon. Do your best, do not let the brand Pakistan down,” Ali added.

Saqib Azhar, CEO of Enablers, a fast growing e-commerce company in Pakistan, said that he has received a call from Pakistan Consulate General Los Angeles to confirm that Amazon is adding Pakistan to its approved countries’ list.

Azhar said previously it was almost impossible for sellers to open their Amazon seller accounts using Pakistani documents such as passport etc.

“Previously, it was confirmed that Pakistan will be in approved countries of Amazon by end of April 2021 but it has been delayed few more days and this is now happening.”

Azhar said the decision will give a boost to the e-commerce industry in Pakistan and manufacturers and merchants will be able to sell their locally-made products in big markets such as the US, UK, Australia and Middle East.

Madi Khan, an e-commerce expert based in Dubai, told Gulf Today that this decision has opened the new avenues of opportunities for Pakistani freelancers.

“This will immensely benefit the youth to avail the opportunities coming to their way as local businesses would be in need to hire a skillful force to run their online stores on Amazon. I see a bright chance to improve Pakistan’s ranking to No.1 at the global freelance market as it currently stands at No.4,” Khan added.

Special Assistant to the PM on Political Information Dr Shahbaz Gill said that the PTI government has achieved something that had not been achieved during the last 10 years in the country's history.

"Amazon has included Pakistan in its list of sellers. With this development, Pakistan has now joined the international market. This will result in billions in investment and produce employment opportunities. Thank you Imran Khan," he added.