The U.S. Mission Pakistan, in collaboration with the Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN) and Tech Valley Pakistan, has concluded a five-day business accelerator program aimed at boosting digital trade skills among Pakistani entrepreneurs. The initiative focused on helping them compete in global e-commerce markets.
The program, titled “E-Commerce and Digital Trade: Building the U.S.-Pakistan Economic Partnership,” ran from June 8 to June 12. It was hosted at the newly established headquarters of the U.S. Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) in Islamabad. Fifty entrepreneurs were selected through a competitive nationwide process. They represented sectors including artisan crafts, agriculture, fashion, software development, and health.
At the closing ceremony, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Andrew Halus highlighted the importance of entrepreneurship and innovation.
He said the United States remains Pakistan’s largest export market. He added that participants are now better prepared to access global opportunities. He also noted that the Google Digital Marketing & E-Commerce Professional Certificate strengthens their professional profiles.
Google for Education supported the program with digital tools and learning resources. It also provided certification through the Google Digital Marketing & E-Commerce Professional Certificate program. Participants were trained in online store creation, digital trade regulations, and supply chain management.
By the end of the training, each entrepreneur had created an online store. They also learned digital trade rules and logistics planning. In addition, they gained hands-on experience with AI-powered marketing tools. Each participant developed a personalized export roadmap to enter international markets.
The cohort showcased a wide range of Pakistani products. These included handcrafted goods and agricultural exports such as dried mangoes and organic oils. Fashion items like shawls and jewelry were also part of the showcase.
Tech Valley Pakistan played a key role in delivering the program. It provided technology support, training, and consultancy services. The organization is a Google for Education and Canva for Education partner. It operates across Pakistan, Canada, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the United States. So far, it has reached more than 500,000 individuals globally.
