Planning minister more than just upbeat over country’s prospects. PHOTO: REUTERS
Iqbal said that the country’s work in initiating cluster-based technology in agriculture and mining was paving way for more development; he stated while chairing a meeting on “Technology as Industry”.
He added that the government was committed to put the country on the path of technology because it was one of the strong drivers of growth. “Growth cannot be achieved through crawling in exports and by relying on commodities.”
He said the government needed to enhance exports in order to achieve growth, which would be possible only with the advancement in technology and value addition.
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Economic advancement would only be possible with technological advancement. “Pakistan possesses significant technological infrastructure that provides a platform for development.”
About the economic dividends the country offers to international companies, the minister said, leading IT companies had reported that offshore operational cost and productivity of information technology operations in Lahore were better than Bangalore.
Meanwhile, Iqbal called upon the youth in the country to contribute to national development along with their personal and professional pursuits. “The government recognises the potential of youth for national development and it has engaged them in the development process through various initiatives.”
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Ministry of Planning, Development and Reforms initiated the Youth Development Fellows (YDF) initiative to ensure the younger generation is a part of the development process. The minister pointed out that Pakistan had a growing youth population and it depended on the government whether it chose to benefit from this great demographic dividend or not.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 16th, 2015.
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