ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) would introduce a project – Enhancing IT Exports through Industry Support Programme to boost Pakistan’s IT exports. The main objective of the programme is to help Information Technology companies in Pakistan to get international certification.
Sources told Customs Today that the Rs 265 million plan which has been formulated in close collaboration with the industry, would see 30 IT companies being assisted in getting Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) certifications and 50 IT companies being helped to get ISO-27001/20000 certifications.
Sources revealed that about 76 per cent of the costs will be borne by the government while the remaining will be filled by IT industry. Currently, there are not a lot of companies with international certifications, which is concerning since IT services are among Pakistan’s specialties. These certifications will open up a lot of new doors as well as make the industry more competitive in international market.
As per information, initially the project was submitted with a cost of Rs. 709 million and having the components including CMMI Certification Programme, ISO-27000 and ISO-20000 Certification Programme, Internship Programme, Marketing/Branding of IT Industry Programme and Project Management Unit.
In response, Ministry of IT submitted a modified plan, having only two components i-e CMMI Certification Programme and ISO-27000 and ISO-20000 Certification Programme. Furthermore, the project costs were reduced to Rs 265 million.
The sources further said PSEB has done such projects in the past as well and with its help, 23 companies had successfully acquired CMMI-Level 2 to CMMI-Level 5 certifications including NetSol and Digital Processing Systems.
Moreover, eleven companies have acquired ISO-27001 certification including Systems Pvt Ltd and iEngineering while 110 companies have acquired ISO-9001 certifications, sources added.
The sources said to build IT human resource capital, more than 5400 interns have also been placed in the industry by PSEB till date.
Petrol, diesel prices likely to be slashed from May 1
ISLAMABAD: The federal government is likely to reduce prices of petroleum products with petrol and diesel rates expected to be...