Shayan Malik
The Information Technology (IT) industry in Pakistan has emerged as a significant player in the country’s economic landscape, garnering attention from both domestic and international investors. With a population of 249.5 million andrapidly increasing young populace, Pakistan stands at the crossroads of becoming a global tech destination.
The key to realizing this potential lies in offering a streamlined and supportive mechanism to encourage and incentivize businesses. Spearheading efforts for an investor-friendly environment, Pakistan’s IT sector is poised for exponential growth, with the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) playing a pivotal role in addressing procedural issues, policy reforms, and investor concerns. IT is among the core identified areas with the potential for exponential growth.
Over the past few years, Pakistan’s startup ecosystem has experienced remarkable growth. Supported by a network of National Incubation Centers (NICs), Business Incubation Centers (BICs), and other incubators and accelerators, the ecosystem provides critical infrastructure, support, resources, mentorship, and networking to startups.
This nurturing environment has attracted local and international investors, thereby increasing funding opportunities for startups. NICs have emerged as key hubs for innovation and entrepreneurship in Pakistan.
They offer a conducive environment for startups to develop their ideas, access mentorship, and connect with industry experts. Currently, NICs support over 1300 startups and initiatives, underlining the government’s commitment to building a strong startup ecosystem.
The government’s sincere support for the IT sector is evident through its collaboration with local and foreign IT companies and academic institutions. The recent policy shift, allowing IT companies to retain and freely use 50% of their revenue in dollars, up from 35%, further demonstrates its commitment to adopting a favorable environment for IT growth.
Pakistan government has also decided to host the Digital Direct Foreign Investment summit every year and will be working with Digital Corporation Organization (DCO) for a ‘digital passport’ for Pakistani companies which will enable them to quickly start a business in DCO member countries, starting with Saudi Arabia.
Pakistan has signed a MoU with Saudi Arabia, facilitating collaboration in various IT and technology sectors. The digital economic ties of the two countries can be deepen through evaluation and qualificationof the companies for collaborative opportunities in IT markets.
Saudi Arabia plans to establish a special desk to expedite the registration of Pakistani IT firms wanting to establish themselves there. Both the countries are looking to establish a separate special Task Force to promote this digital IT collaboration.
The two countries will also cooperate in e-governance, smart infrastructure, e-health, e-education, emerging technologies, and to devote more energies for research and innovation. This can be achieved through developing joint projects, training, utilization of IT incubation centers and IT hubs.
Saudi Arabia’s SMEs General Authority, ‘Monsha’at’, will work with Pakistan to support its IT companies and startups to scale their businesses.$100 Million Saudi-Pakistan Tech House project was announced earlier this year, which aims to strengthen strategic partnerships between IT firms in both countries.
Pakistan is a land of untapped opportunities, with massive innovation potential. It is through initiatives like SIFC that necessary policy reforms can be introduced, critical for the growth of the IT sector. The country’s young, tech-savvy population is ready to take on the challenges and opportunities of the digital age.
Primary challenges that must be addressed is the current business environment, marked by taxation and other issues that make foreign investors hesitant. The key to success as many experts suggest, is to first raise local entrepreneurs and provide them with the incentives needed to strengthen the IT sector. Once the local ecosystem is thriving, international investors are more likely to follow suit.
To achieve the targets set by SIFC, a comprehensive set of short, medium, and long-term policies must be put into action. Investment in IT sector not only brings quick rewards but also plays anessential role in addressing Pakistan’s unemployment problem.
Pakistan’s IT sector is composed for exponential growth, and SIFC stands as a beacon of hope. By promoting a welcoming environment for both local and international investors and implementing the right policies, Pakistan can harness the full potential of its IT industry, driving economic prosperity and innovation for the nation. The promise of Pakistan as a global tech destination is within reach.
The vision is clear that Pakistan’s IT sector can contribute $50 billion to the economy within three to five years. But to make this vision a reality, the right policies and approaches are essential.
It’s worth noting that similar policies and programs have been launched in the past, but the results fell short due to a lack ofen couraging environment for international investors.
The IT sector in Pakistan is on the verge of becoming the country’s third-largest export sector, after textiles and rice. With the government’s investor-friendly approach and continued support for startups, and international collaborations, Pakistan’s IT industry is well-positioned for a prosperous future.
The IT industry in Pakistan is at the forefront of economic development, with the government, stakeholders, and international partners working collaboratively to create a thriving digital ecosystem. As Pakistan’s IT sector continues to grow, it promises not only economic prosperity but also positions the country as a global player in the world of technology and innovation.
