ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif underlined need for increasing IT exports in line with country’s enormous potential. Chairing meeting here regarding promotion of IT exports Prime Minister said IT exports are very low as compared to talent in Pakistan, which need to be worked out on priority basis. He directed officials concerned to establish liaising between universities, academia and IT industry for development of IT sector. Meeting was briefed that Pakistan’s IT exports last year were 2.6 billion dollars and efforts are being made to increase these exports to 5 billion dollars this year.

Meeting was told that Pakistan has second largest freelance work force in world and Pakistan software export is taking steps to increase its capacity. It was further informed that for inclusion of new people in IT industry, two-year associate degree programme in IT are being considered at universities. Similarly, Tech Destination Brand Pakistan is being introduced across world to promote foreign investment in IT sector. Meeting was apprised that Federal Board of Revenue has established help desks in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad for convenience of IT exporters.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Commerce Minister Naveed Qamar, Information Technology Minister Amin ul Haq, Special Assistants to PM Tariq Bajwa, Jahanzeb Khan, Syed Fahd Hussain, Shiza Fatima and senior government officials attended meeting.

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 24 2022

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