Mobile industry to drive digital economy

GSMA report highlights mobile as dominant form of digital connectivity in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The Global System for Mobile Communication Association (GSMA) on Monday launched a report titled “Pakistan: Progressing Towards a Digital Economy”, outlining the importance of mobile sector to the Digital Pakistan vision.

At a high-level event organised for government of Pakistan officials and mobile industry leaders, the association highlighted that mobile is the dominant form of digital connectivity in Pakistan, with 89 million unique subscribers as of the end of 2019.

The report pinpointed to the industry’s vital contribution to healthcare and development of the economy.

Moreover, the report showed how the mobile industry is redefining the way individuals, businesses and state bodies function and interact. The event, held at the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, discussed how Pakistan could advance digital and economic inclusion through mobile.

Lauding the IT ministry, GSMA Head of Asia-Pacific Julian Gorman said, “The GSMA congratulates the digital leadership and foresight of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication for the successful collaboration with our industry during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“This demonstrates mobile’s potential to unlock digital transformation for millions of Pakistanis as well as drive social and economic growth for the country. Additionally, it is critical to achieving Pakistan’s Digital vision of a prosperous and innovative digital economy, that the fundamentals of inclusive mobile broadband and a sustainable mobile sector are established.”

During the event, Minister of IT and Telecommunication Syed Aminul Haque launched the GSMA report and emphasised, “The government, in tandem with the private sector and the wider mobile ecosystem, must work together collaboratively to deliver the promise of Digital Pakistan. The mobile industry is an important partner to deliver transformational change in the digital era and ensure that we bridge the digital divide.”

Report findings

With decelerating GDP growth, compounded by a rising population, the jobs, taxes and productivity gains generated by the digital ecosystem will be pivotal to supporting the health of Pakistan’s economy and society, moving forward.

Having dedicated efforts to economic stability, Prime Minister Imran Khan has now committed the government’s full attention to the 2017 Digital Pakistan policy, which provides the spark and mandate for change. Still, the structural transformation will not be instantaneous. 

Published in The Express Tribune, June 9^th, 2020.

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