Karandaaz launches studies on E-invoicing, agri spot trading

KARACHI: Karandaaz Pakistan has launched two research studies focusing on e-invoicing and agricultural spot trading, aiming to strengthen Pakistan’s digital economy, improve market transparency and expand access to finance for businesses and farmers. The studies were unveiled during a report launch and stakeholder dialogue titled “Digitalizing Transactions: Insights on E-Invoicing and Agri Spot Trading in Pakistan”, which brought together policymakers, regulators, financial institutions, private sector representatives and development partners to discuss the role of digital transaction infrastructure in promoting economic formalisation and market efficiency. The event marked the release of two reports, “E-Invoicing in Pakistan” and “Feasibility Study for Agri Spot Trading in Punjab, Pakistan, ” both of which examine how digital transaction systems can support economic growth, improve transparency and facilitate access to formal financing channels. Speaking at the event, Chief Executive Officer of Karandaaz Pakistan, Waqas-ul-Hasan, said Pakistan’s ongoing digital transformation required stronger institutional frameworks and broader ecosystem awareness to unlock new economic opportunities. “As Pakistan advances its digital transformation journey, today’s discussions and research can help build greater awareness across the ecosystem and support the development of institutional frameworks needed to unlock this space, ” he said. He noted that over the past decade Karandaaz has worked closely with public and private sector stakeholders to strengthen Pakistan’s digital financial ecosystem, including its role in conceptualizing Raast and supporting wider digitalisation efforts. “The research being launched today reflects that commitment and aims to inform dialogue with regulators and government while fostering growth and innovation that contributes to real economic activity, ” he added. According to the findings, the e-invoicing study examined how digital invoicing systems could improve transaction visibility, enhance tax compliance and facilitate financing opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), while also evaluating Pakistan’s readiness for broader adoption. The second study assessed the feasibility of introducing a structured spot trading mechanism for agricultural commodities in Punjab. It identified opportunities to improve price discovery, market transparency and access to financing through the use of electronic warehouse receipt systems. Delivering the keynote address, Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) Commissioner for Securities Markets Division Ali Farid Khwaja said modern digital market infrastructure could play a vital role in transforming fragmented markets into trusted and transparent systems. “E-invoicing and electronic warehouse receipts can help Pakistan move from fragmented transactions to trusted digital market infrastructure. SECP’s role is to enable responsible innovation, strengthen market confidence, and support frameworks where verified digital records can improve transparency, reduce risk and expand access to finance, ” he said. The event also featured two panel discussions involving government officials, financial institutions and industry experts. The first panel, titled “Can Pakistan leverage E-Invoicing as a foundational infrastructure for economic formalisation and SME finance? ”, discussed the role of digital invoicing in strengthening documentation and improving financing access for businesses. Participants included Chief Commissioner Regional Tax Office Islamabad Aisha Farooq, Haball Chief Executive Officer Omer Bin Ahsan, Dynamic Resources Limited Director and Co-Founder Saeed Iqbal, and Bank Alfalah Head of SME Supply Chain Portfolio Management Faisal Bari Cheema. The session was moderated by Karandaaz Group Head DFS Projects Taimoor Ali. he second panel discussion, “Building transparent agri markets: Can agri spot trading improve price discovery and market access? ”, explored opportunities to modernise agricultural markets through digital trading systems. Panelists included Pakistan Mercantile Exchange (PMEX) Chief Executive Officer Khurram Zafar, Prime Minister’s Coordinator on Agriculture Ahmed Umair, National Credit Guarantee Company Limited Chief Guarantee Officer Saher Shaikh and Kissan Gudam Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder Farhan Tahir. The session was moderated by Karandaaz Head of Development Impact Hasnat Ashraf. Karandaaz said the discussions reflected a growing recognition among stakeholders that modern transaction infrastructure is critical to building a more efficient, transparent and inclusive economy. The organisation reiterated its commitment to supporting research, stakeholder engagement and ecosystem development initiatives aimed at accelerating digital adoption and promoting sustainable economic growth across Pakistan. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

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