ISLAMABAD: A seminar was held on information technology jointly by the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry and IBEX Global at the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry auditorium. FPCCI President Mian Muhammad Adrees said that information technology has become a buzzword in the age of technology thus the credible IT solution providers should focus on SMEs to give a jump to the economic activities in Pakistan.
He added that most of the textile units in Faisalabad now had automated looms while mobile phones used by majority of the people are adorned with the most diversified and innovative software. He mentioned amazing and rapid development recorded by the IT sector, and said that once Apple technology was considered the best but it had become obsolete and now more than 36,000 progressive institutions and organisations across the globe were using android software.
He welcomed the IBEX in Faisalabad, and said that the seminar was aimed to educate and encourage the local business community, and convinced them to manage their businesses in difficult circumstances. He said that the city was bursting with population and businesses and there are thousands of SMEs and 16 leading trade bodies to whom IBEX could offer its services at nominal rates. He hoped that small and medium entrepreneurs would fully exploit the opportunity to enhance the profitability of their businesses in addition to reorganising their businesses on modern and scientific lines.
Mr Adrees also mentioned his visit to China about 12 years ago, and said that immediately after mending economic relations with China, India had exported software worth 2 billion dollars to China. Now its IT exports are around 600 billion dollars, he added. On the other side, Pakistan’s total exports are dwindling at 20 billion dollars, he said, and added, “We are trying now to take it to 25 billion dollars.” Sitara Group had purchased IT software five years ago with an estimated cost of Rs35 million from Siemens and his company and its IT specialists have to work day and night for one year to fully adopt it. However, with the IT tool, the company made berth in 500 major companies of the world, he added.
Nadeem Elahi, country head of IBEX Global, also underlined the importance of IT, and said that there were huge opportunities for IT solution providers in Pakistan and his firm was making sincere efforts to fully capitalise the same. He said that IBEX will offer wide range of software tools with customised solutions and amendments for different businesses and sectors at most affordable rates. He admitted the growth potential of Faisalabad and pledged that his firm will also play a role in spurring the growth phenomenon.
Earlier, Usman Masood and Kaleem Ahmed of IBEX gave a colourful and interesting presentation while Nadeem Allahaala, FCCI’s senior vice president and Inaam Afzal Khan, vice president, also addressed the seminar. They hoped that IBEX will set up its call centre in Faisalabad to offer lucrative jobs to the local IT graduates.
