A senior level meeting was held here on Tuesday to explore ways and means to enhance cooperation for holistic growth of IT Industry in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The meeting, held at Pakistan Software Export Board head office in Islamabad, was attended by Mr. Zia Ullah Khan Bangash, Advisor to CM for ST & IT, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Mr. Osman Nasir, Managing Director, Pakistan Software Export Board as well as other senior officials from KPITB and PSEB.
Managing Director, PSEB provided a comprehensive briefing on the state of the IT sector in Pakistan and the steps being undertaken to ensure holistic and sustainable growth of Pakistan’s IT industry.
Mr. Zia Ullah Khan Bangash, Advisor to CM for ST&IT Khyber Pakhtunkhwa appreciated PSEB efforts which have resulted in consecutive growth of Pakistan’s IT Industry. He invited PSEB to partner with KPK Government in speeding up the development of the state of the art digital city in Haripur and to assist and collaborate with KPK Government in establishing STPs in the province such as in Kohat, Mingora and Swat among others. He said that PSEB may consider taking the lead for proactive collaboration and cooperation with all Provincial IT Boards and other stakeholders, to ensure that maximum benefit is attained from integrated efforts to develop Pakistan’s IT Industry. He said that a comprehensive incentives package may be designed by PSEB for the IT industry after taking input from all stakeholders.
There was consensus on the need for a venture capital fund in Pakistan to help IT industry entrepreneurs and enhance industry growth. Both sides agreed on further deliberations to hash out related modalities and the way forward. It was also agreed to hold a CIO seminar in Swat.
MD PSEB, Mr. Osman Nasir appreciated the efforts made by KPITB in developing the IT Industry in KPK in a short span of time. He said that PSEB promotes KPK IT Industry in its interactions with overseas entities as well as Pakistani Consulates abroad and has always made endeavors to include companies from the province to exhibit in international exhibitions with PSEB as well as be a part of PSEB international delegations. He assured of maximum cooperation from PSEB and said that he would soon hold an IT companies meetup in KPK. He further said that all possible steps are being undertaken to ensure sustainable growth of Pakistan’s IT Industry including strong incentives, tax breaks, capability and capacity improvement of the IT industry among others.
An MOU would be signed shortly to enhance cooperation between PSEB and KPITB.
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