LAHORE: Information Technology sector of Pakistan can play instrumental rule in boosting declining exports of the country as it can align the export-based industries on modern lines.
These views were expressed by the LCCI President Abdul Basit while speaking at a seminar on “IT Growth Opportunities” at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry. The LCCI Senior Vice President Amjad Ali Jawa, Vice President Muhammad Nasir Hameed Khan, Director International Marketing, Pakistan Software Export Board Salman Hassan, Convener LCCI Standing Committee Amir Saeed, IT Expert Asim Saleem and Salman Basit also spoke on the occasion.
The LCCI President said that IT Services contributed 17% in services sector’s exports of $ 5 billion services in 2016. He said that at present about 2000 software houses and call centers working in the country. Various IT companies of Pakistan are providing services to the world’s renowned entities but despite all of these Pakistan’s IT sector contributes hardly 0.2% in the global IT trade of around $ 500 billion that does not match the potential of this important sector.
Abdul Basit said that exports cannot grow until and unless unattended areas like software export are not targeted. Declining exports of a country which has plenty of raw materials, large number of youths and atomic power, should be a matter of concern for the policy makers. He said that country’s exports are limited to the traditional items like textile products, cotton, rice, leather products, fruits & vegetables while neighboring countries are earning huge foreign exchange through software exports and Information Technology based services.
He said that there is no dearth of resources of Pakistan and it is abundant with talented youth. He said that Proud of Pakistan Arfa Karim, Mohid Iqbal, Mohib Iqbal, Hamza Shahzad, Haris Khan, Haroon Tariq Babar Iqbal and Ayan Qureshi are some of the youngest IT experts who raised the national flag at globe. He said that youth of Pakistan can give rich dividend to the nation.
The LCCI President said that Pakistan Software Export Board and private sector should join hands and move collectively to give much needed boost to the national exports. The LCCI President also urged the businessmen to exploit latest technology and methodologies to establish their businesses on modern lines.
Director International Marketing, Pakistan Software Export Board Salman Hassan informed the participants that to achieve its aims and objectives linked with promoting Pakistan’s IT Industry, PSEB undertaking research and study regarding the state of Pakistan’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector, and proposing strategies to fast-track sustainable development in software and services; IT-enabled services, and hardware in both export and domestic markets. He said that Board also study the IT laws and regulations of various competitor countries, and propose improvements and modifications in Pakistan’s public policy for the IT industry.
The LCCI Senior Vice President Amjad Ali Jawa and Vice President Muhammad Nasir Hameed Khan shared their experience and knowledge about Information Technology with the participants.
Convener LCCI Standing Committee Aamir Saeed threw light on the efforts of the committee for promotion of Information Technology.
