Good News for freelancers from Caretaker government
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Dr. Umar Saif, the Caretaker Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunications, has expressed his commitment to attracting global investors to participate in a proposed venture capital initiative aimed at supporting startups. Emphasizing the government's dedication to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, Dr. Saif also revealed his upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia as part of this endeavor.
Additionally, he unveiled plans to establish 5,000 joint e-working centers tailored to accommodate freelancers, with the primary objective of generating substantial employment opportunities across the country.
In pursuit of these goals, Dr. Umar Saif has championed the provision of interest-free loans to facilitate the establishment of joint E-Working Centers, thereby supporting freelancers and contributing to job creation on a significant scale. He also highlighted constructive discussions held with Caretaker Finance Minister Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, focused on a comprehensive 5-point agenda pertaining to the IT sector. Notably, the deliberations included a detailed examination of the issue of dollar retention within the IT industry, offering promising prospects for the near future.
The strategic initiatives put forth by Dr. Saif aim to not only repatriate overseas IT accounts to Pakistan but also rekindle investor confidence, enhance the influx of foreign exchange into the country, and immediately boost the volume of IT exports. Furthermore, Dr. Umar Saif underscored the importance of redefining the role of the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) to assist IT companies in accessing international clients and establishing Pakistan's presence in the global market.
He emphasized Pakistan's unique advantages, such as its skilled IT professionals and advantageous time zone, as vital assets in promoting its IT/ITeS products worldwide. Dr. Saif encouraged collaboration between PSEB and Pakistan's trade and commerce missions within embassies worldwide, envisioning a prosperous future for the country's IT exports.
Moreover, Dr. Saif has set ambitious targets for the PSEB, directing them to expedite necessary measures for training 200,000 IT professionals, with the aim of contributing an impressive $5 billion to the IT export sector. These multifaceted efforts underscore the government's commitment to nurturing Pakistan's IT industry, stimulating economic growth, and positioning the country as a significant player on the global technology stage.
