Pakistan's fashion exports can tap global consumers through e-Commerce trade of US$ 837 bn.

The Pakistan Business Council (PBC) recently published a report titled 'Using E-Commerce to Promote Exports of Pakistani Fashion Products' in which it estimated that the global revenues of e-commerce retail trade in fashion products is valued at US$ 837.3 billion.

Pakistan's overall B2C e-commerce trade in 2022 is estimated to be US$7.7 billion domestically with US$ 1.4 billion in fashion products. Meanwhile, cross-border B2C e-commerce trade from Pakistan in 2022 is reported to be US$ 368.3 million, the majority of which is fashion products. This is comparison to a global estimate of US$221 billion in cross-border e-B2C e-commerce trade in the fashion segment which is forecasted to grow at 6.2% annually over the next 3 years. Therefore, Pakistan's current share is approximated to be under 0.15% with room to grow exponentially.

Retail brands such as Limelight, Gul Ahmed, Khaadi, Sana Safinaz and Al Karam Studio are reported to be exporting tens of millions of US dollars in women's clothing, primarily to overseas Pakistanis. Dozens of other fashion brands are also observed to be serving customers in U.S.A., the U.K., the U.A.E., Canada, Australia, Europe and Gulf countries, with upto 30% of their revenues being generated from these international markets.

The comprehensive report goes on to highlight key recommendations for stakeholders such as merchants, E-commerce companies, logistics providers, the financial sector, and the government, as follows:

1. Training and Awareness Sessions for Fashion Designers and Merchants

2. Facilitate International Logistics in Pakistan

3. Creation of Third-Party Service Providers in Pakistan to Handle Specific E-commerce Tasks

4. Banking, and Customs Procedures Need to be Digitalized

5. Revision of SBP and Customs Laws

6. Pakistan’s Image needs to be Improved

7. Promotion of Pakistani Fashion through Collaborations with International Designers

8. Issuance of Certification or Badges to Genuine Websites of Fashion Brands

9. Improvements in Pakistani Payment Gateways

10. Facilitating Digital Marketing Services Providers in Pakistan

11. Development of Ancillary Products, Fusion Wear and Western Wear Brands

12. Industry needs to implement Standardization

13. Focus Towards a More Diversified Client Base

The report can be downloaded from the PBC website here.