Islamabad: Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan has welcomed an initiative by Meta to train 1,000 Pakistani small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in digital business and artificial intelligence (AI), while inviting the company to engage with Pakistan’s broader digital economy agenda.
According to Press Information Department, the Minister expressed these views during a meeting with a Meta delegation led by Ms. Tehara Punchihewa, Asia-Pacific Public Policy, and Ms. Vivian Liang, Policy Programs Manager, Asia-Pacific. The Meta delegation presented its Small Business Growth Academy, a program set to train 1,000 SMEs across Pakistan between August and November 2026 on Meta’s digital platforms, AI-powered business tools, and online marketing strategies. The program will be implemented by local partner AtomCamp with participation offered free of cost.
The delegation shared that the program aims to improve digital skills, expand market access, and support women entrepreneurs and businesses in smaller cities through both physical and online training sessions. Jam Kamal Khan emphasized the government’s commitment to digitization as part of its reform agenda to improve governance, service delivery, and economic competitiveness.
The Minister highlighted that Pakistan is finalizing a comprehensive E-Commerce Policy while broader work on an Artificial Intelligence Policy is also underway to promote innovation and technology-driven economic growth. He encouraged Meta to engage closely with relevant stakeholders to maximize the outreach and impact of the SME training program, assuring that the Ministry of Commerce would facilitate introductions and institutional linkages across Pakistan’s business community.
The Meta delegation expressed gratitude for the support and welcomed the opportunity to expand the program’s reach through connections with the Directorate General of Trade Organizations and business stakeholders. The meeting concluded with both sides expressing interest in continued engagement on digital skills and SME development in Pakistan.