ISLAMABAD, Dec 18 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday appreciating the gradual increase in IT exports, directed the relevant authorities to take steps to create employment opportunities for youth, improve IT infrastructure and enhance internet access to achieve the objective of the digital economy.
The prime minister, chairing a meeting with the private sector working group formed for IT sector-related economic growth, appreciated the progress shown by the country’s IT sector despite economic challenges.
He said that the government was actively working on technical training of the workforce in the IT sector, tax facilitation, and improvements in other related matters.
In the meeting, the working group, headed by Asif Peer, presented to the prime minister the recommendations focusing on expansion of digital economy, increasing IT exports, and other reforms in the IT sector, which he welcomed.
Prime Minister Shehbaz said that the focus of the government’s measures for technical training in IT was to introduce Pakistani youth as an experienced workforce in the global IT market.
He said that the promotion of the digital economy depended on consumers’ access to the internet.
The prime minister directed the high-level committee headed by the finance minister to review the working group’s recommendations and submit a report within two weeks.
In the meeting, the prime minister was also briefed on the formation of a data-based governance model.
The members of the private sector working group appreciated the government’s initiatives, such as increasing market share for exports, complete digitization of the Pakistan Software Export Board, the E-Rozgar scheme, and the startup innovation ecosystem.
The meeting was attended by federal ministers Dr. Ahsan Iqbal, Jam Kamal Khan, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Dr. Musadik Masood Malik, Ahad Khan Cheema, Attaullah Tarar, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar, Chairman FBR, and senior officials from relevant departments.