Pakistan IT Exports: Government aims ambitious targets

Pakistan IT Exports: Government aims ambitious targets

ISLAMABAD: (APP) The government and Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) are aiming to cross $6 billion in Information Technology exports by 2020, said State Minister of IT and Telecom Anusha Rehman Khan.

Talking to media the after inauguration of National Incubation Center the minister said that goal of $6 billion in IT exports and IT enabled services will be achieved by registering new companies and getting their financial documented and by creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs and companies to develop new products and services for export purposes.

"The National Incubation Center inaugurated in federal capital alone is going to harbor and prepare 40 startups every year", said Anusha Rehman.

The minister said that PSEB increased the documented IT exports by 49% since 2013, just by reorganizing the processes, i.e. by registering more companies and including their numbers in national IT export bill.

Currently the IT Exports of Pakistan stand at $2.8 billion dollars, up from $1.4 billion dollars recorded in 2013.

Anusha said that at the time of joining her office in 2013, there were some 300 companies registered with PSEB the number has now grown to 1,100 with-in just two years.

She said that Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) is formulating ways to make it easier for companies and entrepreneurs to get themselves registered with PSEB.

Anusha said that this new Incubation Center, that's going to be jointly operated by Jazz and "Team Up", is an effort to enhance the ecosystem in the country.

"We want our students and youth to create job opportunities instead of searching for jobs", commented the minister.

Jazz's National Incubation Center, that will operate with $5.4 million fund for five years, will start incubating startups in three months.

The funds were granted by Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Research and Development company to "Team Up" after a rigorous selection process.