PM Shehbaz directs preparing roadmap for increasing IT exports
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Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed to prepare a comprehensive roadmap to boost IT exports, Radio Pakistan reported. Chairing meeting regarding IT and Telecom sector, he said steps will be taken to exploit full potential of IT exports worth billions of dollars. He said youth will be provided with education and skills in IT sector and facilities required for start-ups.
He noted projects that were started for IT industry in previous government are yielding positive results. He said all banking-related problems of startups, freelancers and IT companies were resolved.
He said expected volume of IT exports this year is more than $ 3 billion. Shehbaz, however, emphasised that there is need to further increase it. PM Sharif said comprehensive report should also be prepared and submitted regarding Special Technology Zones. He said country’s IT sector has to work hard to bring it at par with international standards.
Meeting was informed about progress on $ 5 billion IT package given by Prime Minister in June last year. Meeting was informed that exports of IT sector have increased by 13 percent in first seven months of this year as compared to last year.
Meeting was told that under Digi-Skills programme, about four million male and female students have been given IT training in seventeen batches.
Meeting was informed that Pakistan is second largest country in world in terms of number of freelancers. Pakistan exports its IT products to one hundred and seventy countries.
Meeting was informed that there was an investment of four hundred million dollars in startups during last year. Prime Minister directed that all necessary legal and policy measures should be taken to increase investment in IT sector and enhance its exports. He said work should be accelerated on projects related to professional and technical training of youth to take full advantage of potential of IT sector.
Published in The Daily National Courier, March, 13 2024
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