After social media giant Facebook announced its customer-to-customer Marketplace service, which would allow users to buy and sell things, a new chapter of e-commerce is expected to begin in the country.
“I am pleased to note that, after Amazon, Facebook has developed a ‘Market-place’ for Pakistan,” remarked PM’s Commerce Adviser Razak Dawood on Friday.
He went on to explain that it will enable small business owners to offer their products online.
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Facebook Marketplace was launched in 2016 and is now available in more than 100 countries. Previously, Facebook users in Pakistan were unable to use the tool.
“Such prospects during Covid-19 can be a lifeline for small companies,” the consultant said, adding that it would also benefit women entrepreneurs who wish to participate in market activity by buying and selling within their friends, family, and networks.
Mr Dawood stated, “This is the first step toward e-commerce.”
Facebook Marketplace was largely a C2C platform that allowed consumers to purchase and sell things.
The launch of new features and products on our platform is Facebook’s way of proving our commitment and support to our community in Pakistan, according to written messages from Facebook management to Pakistan’s commerce ministry.
“Expanding our product offerings in Pakistan and introducing new features allows us to serve individuals as well as small, medium, and even micro enterprises that use our platform.”
Facebook Marketplace launches in Pakistan
Marketplace makes it easier and more convenient for people to buy and sell by leveraging their social network, according to the company.
The letter said, “This complements Facebook’s broader work to support Pakistan’s vibrant small business community with a variety of goods, services, and training programmes.”
People can browse ads or search for items around them to find wonderful stuff to buy on Marketplace. Furthermore, in order to buy and sell, one does not need to download another app or create a new account.
Similarly, the user can use their existing Facebook account to connect with others in their local community and find interesting products for sale.
Marketplace is accessible on desktops and tablets as well as in the Facebook app. When using a web browser, the Facebook icon can be found on the left side of the page.
For decades, the social networking site has been a vital part of Pakistani society. Every month, more than 50 million Pakistanis log on to Facebook to connect with family and friends, find businesses they enjoy, and trade on a regular basis.
The Facebook administration stated, “We established Facebook Marketplace to make it quicker and easier for buyers and sellers who are already on our platforms to interact and use this social network and sell their items.”
Currently, all Marketplace transactions are handled outside of the Facebook platform.
Facebook explained, “We do not collect revenue or seller’s fees for any of our roles in allowing transactions via Marketplace.”
The Covid-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on several nations’ economies, including Pakistan’s, and Facebook wants to assist the Pakistani government’s efforts to recover by giving features and products like Marketplace to let people purchase and sell and produce more economic activity.
