galaxefi, PSW, and ADB partner to position Pakistan as regional digital trade hub
KARACHI: As Pakistan strengthens its position as a bridge between South Asia, the Gulf, and Central Asia, diplomats and business leaders have emphasized the growing importance of technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship in shaping the country’s economic diplomacy and regional role.
The message resonated at the 3rd Diplomatic Network Event, hosted by the Smart Entrepreneur Society (SES) at the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development (ICCD) in Karachi, where representatives from Asia, the Middle East, and Africa gathered to explore how digital transformation is reshaping trade, investment, and cooperation.
Diplomacy Meets Innovation: Opening the session, Engr. Mehtab Hussain Baloch, Founder and Chairman of the Smart Entrepreneur Society, said that modern diplomacy extends far beyond political dialogue.
“Diplomacy today is not just about negotiation, it’s about connecting entrepreneurs, fostering innovation, and developing human capital,” Baloch said.
“Through SES, we aim to bridge the diplomatic community with Pakistan’s innovation ecosystem, where dialogue turns into opportunity and collaboration leads to prosperity.”
galaxefi and the Future of Regional Digital Trade: A key highlight of the evening was a presentation by Asif Pervez, Founder and CEO of galaxefi Solutions, who outlined Pakistan’s emerging leadership in digital trade corridors.
He noted that galaxefi, in collaboration with the Pakistan Single Window (PSW), 1Link, Meezan Bank, Pakistan International Freight Forwarders Association (PIFFA), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), is developing an AI-driven digital trade network connecting logistics, payments, and compliance systems.
The initiative aims to deliver real-time visibility, secure settlements, and assured trade transactions across the CAREC region, positioning Pakistan as a digital bridge for regional commerce.
Pervez added that galaxefi’s upcoming presentation at the CAREC Business Forum in Bishkek will demonstrate how this model can power “Digital Trade Without Borders — The Future of e-Cross-Border Trade in the CAREC Region.”
Diplomats Praise Pakistan’s Private-Sector Dynamism: Chief Guest Eng. Dr. Sami Abdullah Salim Al Khanjari, Consul General of Oman and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Karachi, praised Pakistan’s entrepreneurial potential and lauded initiatives that merge technology with trade.
“Pakistan’s private sector has the creativity and dynamism to drive sustainable regional growth,” he said.
“Digital initiatives like these are essential for building stronger bridges between nations, entrepreneurs, and innovators.”
Other attendees included Sanjeewa Pattiwala (Sri Lanka), Vahed Asghari (Iran), Mirza Ishtiaq Baig (Morocco), Fazal Karim Dadabhoy (Côte d’Ivoire), and Ibrahim Khalid Tawab (Ethiopia), who collectively highlighted the growing role of technology-enabled diplomacy in advancing the Global South’s cooperation agenda.
Private Sector Leading the Way: Hasan Raza Kasbati, CEO of Aleph Business Solutions, announced the company’s expansion into Argentina, its fourth international office noting that each global project creates jobs and brings foreign revenue back to Pakistan.
“We are exporting intelligence, not just services,” Kasbati said. “Each success abroad strengthens Pakistan’s economy and showcases its talent to the world.”
Africa and Asia: New Frontiers for Collaboration: Diplomats from Africa and South Asia echoed calls for deeper collaboration in innovation, agriculture, and human development.
“In today’s interconnected world, diplomacy is about more than dialogue, it’s about trade, technology, and people,” said Fazal Karim Dadabhoy, Honorary Consul General of Côte d’Ivoire.
“Events like this embody the shared spirit of growth among nations of the Global South.”
“Collaboration is not just an option, it’s the foundation of sustainable growth,” said Ibrahim Khalid Tawab, Honorary Consul General of Ethiopia.
The event was also graced by Mr. Anwar Nizami, CEO of DSV, who was among the distinguished guests in attendance.
The event also marked the soft launch of two SES publications, Smart Entrepreneur Magazine and Intellectual Property Alerts Magazine, dedicated to promoting innovation awareness and digital literacy in Pakistan.
Officials from the ICCD commended SES for advancing what they described as “knowledge diplomacy,” aligning with Pakistan’s broader vision to connect talent, technology, and trade.
A networking dinner concluded the evening, symbolizing the shared vision of digital inclusion and cross-border cooperation and values that Pakistan will carry forward to the CAREC Business Forum 2025 in Bishkek, where galaxefi will represent the country’s digital trade ecosystem alongside PSW, Meezan Bank, PIFFA, and ADB.
