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ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar reviewed measures taken by the Ministry of Information Technology (IT) to expand exports by over $5 billion by bringing reforms in the sector.
He was chairing a meeting held here to review the ministry’s measures in IT and telecom sectors. The ministry informed the meeting about the plan with respect to increasing the country’s IT exports and measures being taken for the development of the IT sector in the country.
The meeting was informed that the ministry was working to bring all the government services on the federal level under one umbrella by digitizing it which would enable the government to improve the tax collection system and identify tax evaders. Furthermore, the goal of complete digitization of Pakistan’s economy would also be achieved.
The meeting was also informed that it would be made mandatory for all the university students across the country to get the IT training of international standard.
These measures would help increase the international standard skilled workforce in the IT sector by over 200,000 to help increase IT exports up to US $5 billion, the meeting was told.
The prime minister was told that the ministry was taking measures to provide training and facilities to the freelancers and facilitate easy inflow of remittances.
These measures include interest-free loans to the private sector for the provision of co-working spaces, access of freelancers to internationally popular payment service providers and provision of fast-speed internet.
After the implementation of these measures, it will be possible to increase the exports of this sector by $3 billion. The government is also taking steps for easy access to loans and investment for i-startups, due to which external investment of $1 billion is expected in the next six months.
The ministry also presented the plan for bringing reforms in the telecom sector and provision of high-speed 5-G internet service.
Appreciating the measures taken by the ministry in the telecom and IT sector, the prime minister assured that the government, during its short tenure, would provide all possible support to implement the steps taken by the ministry.
He said the measures would help improve the country’s economy besides creating more employment opportunities in the sector and earning valuable foreign exchange reserves for the country.
The meeting was attended by Caretaker Minister for IT Dr Umar Saif, Advisor Ahad Cheema and other relevant authorities.
