The Caretaker Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunications, Dr. Umar Saif, recently introduced Pakistan’s groundbreaking IT and ITeS Export Strategy, aiming to propel the country’s IT exports to an impressive $10 billion within the next three years.
At a ceremony in Islamabad, Dr. Umar Saif, speaking as the chief guest, highlighted the collaboration between the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), and international partners, including faculty from the University of Oxford, in crafting this strategic plan, aligning it with the nation’s vision for advancement.
Underlining the pivotal role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) pivotal role in bolstering Pakistan’s economy, Dr. Umar Saif emphasized the Special Investment Facilitation Council’s (SIFC) contribution to enabling the sector and facilitating Foreign Direct Investment.
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Dr. Umar Saif focused on critical elements in the strategy to amplify ICT exports. It includes plans to expand the IT workforce by 200,000 skilled professionals, aiming to double IT exports to $5 billion. Initiatives like the Dollar retention facility for IT companies and the establishment of The Pakistan Startup Fund are projected to contribute an additional $1 billion each, driving the target towards $10 billion.
The strategy encompasses a comprehensive vision, emphasizing human resource development, capacity building, freelancers’ facilitation, startup funding, and nurturing a resilient IT ecosystem. It also prioritizes business-friendly policies and global marketing efforts to foster the industry’s global competitiveness.
Detailing critical points from the report, Dr. Umar Saif highlighted the substantial opportunity for Pakistan to escalate its IT/ITeS Export revenues to $10-$18 billion by 2028, positioning the country as a global IT hub. The report identifies five priority IT/ITeS market segments and 12 sub-segments, presenting ample growth opportunities in relatively underexplored domains.
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The discussion also addressed the need for an enabling business environment and a significant skills initiative to support the growth of Pakistan’s IT/IT industry. Collaboration and industry participation emerged as pivotal aspects to drive national projects and initiatives forward.
The ceremony showcased Pakistan’s commitment to surging its IT/ITeS export revenues, envisioning substantial growth in the coming years. This strategic blueprint signifies a crucial step towards unlocking the immense potential of Pakistan’s IT and IT industry, fostering innovation, development, and global competitiveness.
