Govt focusing on promotion of IT sector

Secretary says govt working on payment gateways to resolve industry issues

ISLAMABAD:

The government is working hard for the promotion of IT industry, said Ministry of Information Technology and Telecom Secretary Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of Fazal Software Technology Park at I-9 Industrial Area, he stated that Prime Minister Imran Khan had the vision to promote the IT industry and the Ministry of IT and Pakistan Software Export Board were focusing on that objective.

The IT secretary pointed out that a new industrial park was being established at Chak Shahzad, Islamabad. “The government is also working on payment gateways to resolve payment issues of the IT industry,” he said.

Siddiqui proposed that a forum should be formed including P@SHA and other relevant organisations to ensure ease of doing business.

Former Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) president and Fazal Technology Park CEO Mian Shaukat Masud said information technology was an emerging field in the country. “The government should ensure consistency of policies and more incentives should be given to the IT Industry for its growth and additional exports,” he added.

ICCI President Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan stated that the government should make more efforts for the promotion of IT industry. He highlighted that Pakistan had great potential for IT exports, which could be enhanced through policy support and reforms.

Khan pointed out that India had 100 times more exports of IT products than Pakistan’s exports and even Bangladesh was ahead of Pakistan in IT shipments. He emphasised that the government should give priority to the IT sector for its sustainable growth and earning foreign exchange.

The ICCI chief urged the government to address the payment and receipt issues as many Pakistani IT companies had set up their offices abroad and were receiving payments in overseas offices.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 8^th, 2021.

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