ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s first e-commerce index was launched at an online event, hosted by Daraz, showing an increase in digital payments and growing demand for online shopping. Federal Secretary for IT and Telecommunication Shoaib Siddiqui attended the event.

The purpose of the index is, not only providing insight about consumer behavior online amid the Covid-19 pandemic, but to also help stakeholders linked with the e-commerce industry, understand the online shopper.

It maps the e-commerce potential of second-tier cities including Sialkot, Gujranwala, Hyderabad and Multan, observing consumer demands for different categories of products and brands. One of itskeyfindings, is that there has been a shift toward digital payment methods in 2019. Digital payments on Daraz contributed 32pc of total consumer spend.

According to the index, changes were witnessed in consumer demand during the second and third weeks of March 2020, following the outbreak of Covid-19 in Pakistan. Saleof fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) on Daraz, doubled during this time period and it is expected that they will rise to 70pc of the platform’s total sales in the next few weeks.

Mr Siddiqui said, “The prevailing situation has shown the need for e-commerce mainly in urban areas. The role and positive approach that technology companies have adopted should be acknowledged. Their contribution has remained valuable.” The government has adopted an enabling role and will continue to do so in order to facilitate growth of e-commerce in country, he added.

It is expected that many more online shopping companies will enter the Pakistani market which will help reduce prices for the benefit of consumers.

Published in Dawn, April 17th, 2020