IT exports can be doubled in a year

Tech expert calls for devising integrated strategy with support of private sector

LAHORE:

Pakistan can easily double IT exports in a year or two by developing an efficient and integrated strategy with the support of private sector and through its proper and timely execution, said Umair Azam, CEO of Integration Xperts, one of Pakistan’s prominent technology firms.

While appreciating the caretaker administration for its dedicated efforts to nurture the growth of IT sector, Azam said that the government had taken the right direction and the IT ministry was undertaking excellent steps.

In light of recent memoranda of understanding (MoUs) signed between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, he emphasised the need for a vigilant follow-up.

“MoUs are a good omen for the industry, however, it is very important to follow up on the agreements with Saudi Arabia and other countries,” he said while talking to The Express Tribune. To achieve IT export targets and harness the emerging regional opportunities, Azam called for collaborative efforts between the government and the private sector.

“The government needs to organise a series of road shows in potential markets in consultation and partnership with the private sector. This should be a continuous process to achieve due recognition for Pakistan and its IT sector.”

Discussing the challenge of supplying the requisite skilled workforce to meet national IT development goals and boost IT exports, he said, “We produce almost 25,000 IT graduates every year, but unfortunately, due to the lack of required skills, just 10% of them get employed in the IT industry.”

Azam highlighted the necessity of aligning the curriculum of IT educational institutions with market demands.

He underscored his company’s commitment to enhancing Pakistan’s IT services export. “We have been doing our best to upskill local IT graduates through our Future Leader Programme (FLP), providing hands-on training in latest technologies to selected graduates,” he explained.

In a significant development, Integration Xperts has played a crucial role in establishing Pakistan’s largest IT academy at the National Aerospace Science Technology Park.

In collaboration with the global technology enabler, AshreiTech, they aim to help train approximately 25,000 young individuals annually in association with global technology giants such as Oracle, SAP, Microsoft, Amazon, and Salesforce.

“This effort will position Pakistan as a technology hub in the coming years. With the right training and resources, these IT graduates have the potential to contribute billions of dollars to Pakistan’s economy, given the high global demand for experts in emerging technologies,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 18^th, 2023.

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