ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has directed to prepare a comprehensive roadmap to increase IT exports.
Chairing a meeting regarding IT and Telecom Sector in Islamabad on Tuesday, he said that steps will be taken to exploit full potential of IT exports worth billions of dollars.
The prime minister said that the youth will be provided with education and skills in the IT sector and facilities required for start-ups.
Shahbaz Sharif noted that the projects which were started for the IT industry in the previous government are yielding positive results. He said that all banking related problems of startups, freelancers and IT companies were resolved.
The prime minister said that the expected volume of IT exports this year is more than US$ 3 billion. He, however, emphasized there is a need to further increase it.
Furthermore, he said that a comprehensive report should also be prepared and submitted regarding Special Technology Zones. He said the Country’s IT Sector has to work hard to bring it at par with the international standards.
The meeting was informed about the progress on the US$ 5 billion IT Package given by the prime minister in June last year.
It was further informed that the exports of the IT Sector have increased by 13 percent in the first seven months of this year as compared to the last year.
The meeting was also told that under the Digi-Skills program, about 4 million male and female students have been given IT Training in 17 batches.
The meeting was also informed that Pakistan is the second largest Country in the world in terms of the number of freelancers. It was told that Pakistan exports its IT products to 170 Countries.
In addition, the meeting was informed that there was an investment of US$ 400 million in the startups during the last year.
The 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 that work should be accelerated on the projects related to professional and technical training of the youth in order to take full advantage of the potential of the IT Sector.
