KARACHI: The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME) has thanked Prime Minister Imran Khan and all provincial chief ministers for agreeing in principle to allow e-commerce companies to function and deliver all essential and non essential items to customers at their doorstep under standard operating procedures (SOPs).
The union says the move would revive the businesses of SMEs that are suffering because of the coronavirus lockdown.
UNISAME President Zulfikar Thaver, in a press release issued on Sunday, said it is indeed a good sign to witness the federal and provincial governments on the same page to facilitate the businessmen.
Since e-commerce companies are already abiding by the social distancing protocols for permitted items and would follow the same in future, he added.
Thaver said by allowing e-commerce companies to function they would be saving many businesses from losses and collapse as businesses have suffered due to lockdown.
“Many countries of the world have allowed e-commerce companies to function and they are delivering goods to buyers at their doorstep for online orders placed by the customers.”
Thaver, however, said the union had failed to understand the wisdom of the government who only allowed few selected essential items and not all items as the concept of deliveries at doorstep is the same and social distancing is the aim.
“The holy month of Ramadan is fast approaching and believers will need shopping of many items, which they can conveniently make online. The online business will also enable a price check system which can be monitored by the departments.”
The UNISAME president advised all SMEs to lower their prices for Ramadhan and ensure no member indulge in making unreasonable profits.
“Our neighbouring country has also allowed e-commerce of all items effective from 20th April and likewise many other countries are also allowing one by one,” Thaver noted and urged the federal as well as provincial governments to immediately allow e-commerce of all items and promote business activity in full swing under social distancing protocols.
