Daraz announces plans to become the ‘Digital Silk Road’ by 2025

From left - Daraz Sri Lanka Chief Commercial Officer Oshan Ranatunga, Daraz Sri Lanka Head of Traffic Operations Firaz Markar, and Daraz Sri Lanka Head of Corporate Affairs and Public Policy Anishka de Zylva - Pic by Nimalsiri Edrisinghe

Daraz, Sri Lanka’s fastest-growing online marketplace, is committed to elevating the local e-commerce landscape by enabling local entrepreneurs to seamlessly sell their products to the international market.

The platform, currently operational in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka, envisions transforming into a ‘digital silk road’ by 2025.

Firaz Markar, Head of Traffic Operations at Daraz Sri Lanka said, “Over the last few years, it has been about building the platform itself. Now it is really about bringing the international experience with what we have and integrating it so that there is cross-border trade between the countries we are in.”

“This will allow and support the small entrepreneurs to access the larger market. That’s our core goal.”
Markar made these remarks while announcing the launch of the Daraz 11.11 sale, also known as the Single’s Day sale, scheduled to run from November 10 to November 17.

Recognising the immense potential for growth in the country’s e-commerce platform, Daraz believes that it can also contribute to forex inflow into Sri Lanka. 

According to Anishka de Zylva, Head of Corporate Affairs and Public Policy at Daraz Sri Lanka, leveraging e-commerce is a means to address Sri Lanka’s debt issue. This can be achieved by boosting local manufacturing and supply, as well as promoting digital payments, which would accelerate e-commerce growth.

Daraz noted a growing trend where more entrepreneurs are recognising the importance of embracing e-commerce alongside traditional sales methods. Oshan Ranatunga, Chief Commercial Officer at Daraz Sri Lanka, expressed confidence in the continued expansion of e-commerce in Sri Lanka, attributing it to proactive engagement from vendors.                    (SAA)