PM directs roadmap to increase IT exports

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed to prepare a comprehensive roadmap to increase IT exports.

Chairing a meeting of the IT and Telecom sector here on Tuesday, the prime minister said steps would be taken to exploit the full potential of IT exports worth billions of dollars adding the youth would be provided with education and skills in the IT sector and facilities required for start-ups.

He noted the projects started for the IT industry in the previous government were yielding positive results pointing out that all banking-related problems of startups, freelancers and IT companies were resolved. He said the expected volume of IT exports this year is more than three billion dollars and emphasized the need to further increase it.

Shehbaz Sharif said a comprehensive report should also be prepared and submitted regarding Special Technology Zones emphasizing the IT sector would have to work hard to bring it at par with international standards. The meeting was informed about the progress on the five billion dollar IT package given by the Prime Minister in June last year. The meeting was informed that the exports of the IT sector have increased by 13 percent in the first seven months of this year as compared to last year. The meeting was further told that under the Digi-Skills programme, about four million male and female students have been given IT training in 17 batches.

The forum was also informed that Pakistan is the second largest country in terms of the number of freelancers who are exporting IT products to 170 countries. The meeting was informed that there was an investment of $400 million in the startups during the last year.

The prime minister directed all necessary legal and policy measures should be taken to increase investment in the IT sector and enhance its exports. He said work should be accelerated on the projects related to professional and technical training of the youth to take full advantage of the potential of the IT sector.