KARACHI: Pakistan will enter Amazon’s approved sellers list before next month, the commerce ministry has said, warning the nation’s sellers they would be blacklisted not only by Amazon but also within the country if found guilty of fraudulent activity.
The ministry has been working with the global e-commerce giant since June 2020 to have sellers from the South Asian nation included in its network which already covers 102 countries. To date, Pakistani users have sold their products on Amazon through shadow accounts registered in other countries.
“Listing of Pakistan at Amazon is just a matter of 3 to 4 days,” Aisha Humera, a spokesperson for the ministry of commerce, told Arab News on Wednesday. “Will be done before June.”
She added: “At present we are working on our procedures, including changes in the foreign exchange manual of the State bank of Pakistan.”
Humera said Pakistan’s Amazon entry will come with zero tolerance for fraud.
“We are coordinating with Amazon and any seller, if found guilty of fraud etc., will not only be blocked but also be blacklisted in Pakistan so that they could not work with any other company for tarnishing the image of Pakistan,” she said. “The sellers will have only one chance to get connected with 300 million customers at a single click. If anyone wastes this opportunity by doing anything wrong, Amazon will block that seller and there will be no second chance.”
While businesses can use couriers of their choice, the ministry has proposed that state-owned Pakistan Post set up dedicated desks for the export of small parcels at it has over 13,000 offices across the country. The commerce ministry had also proposed that Pakistan Post be integrated with the country’s Web Based One Customs (WeBOC) to facilitate Amazon sellers under business-to-consumer (B2C) cross border mechanisms.
It is also trying to have the post office offer competitive rates to e-commerce businesses, especially small and medium enterprises.
“The Ministry of commerce is engaging Pakistan Post in this initiative to give competitive rates to the sellers,” Humera said. “If they had to deliver the goods to the warehouses of Amazon for instance in Dubai, US or Canada, they should get good rates.”
Pakistan to enter Amazon’s sellers list this month — commerce ministry
https://arab.news/juz6v
Pakistan to enter Amazon’s sellers list this month — commerce ministry
- Ministry says instances of fraud would result in companies being blacklisted not only by Amazon but also within Pakistan
- State-run Pakistan Post urged to facilitate e-commerce with dedicated desks, offer “competitive rates” for small and medium businesses
Pakistan PM calls for faster CPEC implementation, pledges security for Chinese workers
- Shehbaz Sharif pushes expanded cooperation in agriculture, IT and mining under CPEC phase two
- Chinese envoy reaffirms Beijing’s support for Pakistan’s sovereignty and economic development
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday called for speeding up projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and pledged stronger security guarantees for Chinese workers and investments, during a meeting with China’s ambassador in Islamabad.
Sharif made the remarks as the two countries strive to launch the second phase of CPEC, a multibillion-dollar infrastructure and energy initiative launched in 2015 as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
CPEC’s first phase focused largely on power generation and transport infrastructure aimed at easing Pakistan’s chronic energy shortages and improving connectivity. The second phase seeks to expand cooperation into industrial development, with an emphasis on special economic zones and export-oriented growth.
“While highlighting the importance of accelerating ongoing CPEC projects, the Prime Minister stressed on the need to enhance cooperation in agriculture and IT and mining & minerals,” said a statement circulated by the PM Office after the meeting.
“He also underscored Pakistan’s resolve to provide a secure and conducive environment for Chinese personnel, investments, and institutions in Pakistan,” it added.
Chinese nationals and projects in Pakistan have faced security threats in the past, including attacks by militant groups targeting infrastructure sites and convoys. Islamabad has repeatedly vowed to tighten security and has deployed special protection units for Chinese workers.
China is Pakistan’s closest ally in the region and a key economic partner, with CPEC widely regarded by Islamabad as central to long-term economic growth.
During the meeting, the prime minister conveyed greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, particularly on the occasion of the Chinese New Year.
China’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, reiterated Beijing’s support for Pakistan’s sovereignty and socioeconomic development, according to the statement. Both sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues and agreed to maintain close coordination.
