In a major development towards enhancing the IT industry growth in Pakistan, two MoUs (Memorandum of Understandings) were signed Thursday for setting up software technology parks in Faisalabad and Rawalpindi.
A ceremony in this regard was held at committee room of Ministry of IT. Federal Secretary Ministry of IT & Telecom Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui was chief guest .
The software technology park in Faisalabad would be set up at Sitara Chemical’s Ali Fatima College of Science & Technology with a space of 19,500 sq.ft and is the first-ever software technology park to be set up in Faisalabad. In Rawalpindi, the software technology park would be set up at Amazon Outlet Mall with a space of 44,000 sq. ft and would address the demand of the technology sector for additional software technology parks in Islamabad/Rawalpindi.
The Secretary IT, Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui said that IT industry is receiving top priority from the present government to improve Pakistan’s economy, create jobs and lift the overall quality of life. As a result, the industry is being provided strong government support and extremely attractive incentives. There are several projects intended to facilitate and assist IT Industry in its growth trajectory and ensure continued momentum in local and export earnings upward. He commended IT Industry professionals and entrepreneurs for making Pakistan’s ICT Industry a success story for Pakistan, having achieved a stellar remittance inflow growth rate and making it the largest net exporter in the services sector from Pakistan. He stressed the need for close liaison between the IT Industry and public sector entities for ensuring the holistic growth of Pakistan’s IT sector. He also thanked overseas Pakistanis for their investment in Amazon Mall which would now also serve IT companies generating jobs and exports.
Osman Nasir, Managing Director, Pakistan Software Export Board said that there is strong demand for STPs in the country. Due to the booming IT industry STPs are being setup on public-private sector partnership basis.
PSEB is also setting up STPs through conversion of unused buildings into state-of-the-art STPs. Work is underway for establishing software technology parks in the universities including Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET) Karachi, Quaid-e-Awam University of Engineering, Sciences & Technology University (QUEST), Nawabshah, Bannu University, Ultrasoft Building Quetta, Vertexsoft Building Swat and IBA Sukkur.
