Intra-CAREC trade, excluding China, accounts for just 7 per cent of total trade compared with ASEAN's 24 per cent, reflecting weak regional integration. Several CAREC member countries, including Pakistan, have not ratified the UNESCAP Framework Agreement on Facilitation of Cross-Border Paperless Trade, which aims to streamline digital trade and simplify regulatory processes across borders. Regulatory misalignment, delays in adopting the UNESCAP framework, and an absence of a unified digital regulatory framework further impede growth. ADB urged Pakistan to adopt a long-term digital trade policy, establish a regional digital single window, invest in smart ports, and enhance digital skills among women and youth. 'Only by knowing our own system can we innovate and grow in digital trade,' as reported by The Express Tribune.