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ISLAMABAD, Oct 11 (APP): The experts at the conclusion of the two-day multi-stakeholder conference on digital transformation in the region underscored that Pakistan’s growth potential amid enhanced digital connectivity under Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) program was catalytic for climate resilience.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) convened industry leaders and government officials at a pivotal conference focused on enhancing regional integration through digital trade, with an emphasis on addressing climate and health challenges. The two-day conference has been organized by the ADB in collaboration with the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) here at a local hotel.
The first day of the conference hosted Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Shazia Fatima Khawaja who highlighted significant growth of 25% in tech exports and government endeavours of providing financing to the youth to scale E-entrepreneurship initiatives and youth led startups.
The notable speakers at the second day inaugural session included Lyaziza Sabyrova, Regional Head, CWRD, ADB, Syed Aftab Haider, CEO of Pakistan Single Window (PSW), and Wahat Bastimiyev, CEO of Verigram.
In her opening remark at the second day, Lyaziza Sabyrova, Regional Head, CWRD, ADB briefed the participants on Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) program which was stated almost two decades with them vision to integration, reformation and transition in the central Asian countries’ economies.
The program has diversified strategy focussing transport, energy, economic corridors, and agriculture sectors and water resources.
The program, she said helped in human development including education and health with broader focus on digitalization, gender and climate change.
Sayed Ashraf Siddiqui, Joint Secretary, Economic Affairs Division and CAREC National Focal Point in Pakistan said the role of technology is important to promote and enhance regional trade whereas the conference also intends to foster digital trade across the region.
It is also the foundation step of the implementation on the digital strategy 2030 that emphasizes upon the technology in promoting regional trade through reducing barriers and enhancing connectivity across various sectors, he said.
The notable speakers at the second day inaugural session included Lyaziza Sabyrova, Regional Head, CWRD, ADB, Syed Aftab Haider, CEO of Pakistan Single Window (PSW), and Wahat Bastimiyev, CEO of Verigram.
During the conference, Syed Aftab Haider emphasized the transformative power of technology in global trade. He noted the significant growth of merchandise trade and the surging e-commerce landscape. “Digitalization is the way forward, encompassing both technology and procedures. Pakistan Single Window has implemented a digital platform across all land, air, and dry ports, significantly reducing the bureaucratic footprint,” he said.
Verigram’s Wahat Bastimiyev shared insights on Kazakhstan’s digital landscape, highlighting a remarkable increase in non-cash transactions and the swift opening of bank accounts. “With internet penetration at 92% and cashless payments making up 89% of transactions, Kazakhstan is witnessing a banking transformation that can enhance cross-border e-payments,” he noted.
The panel discussion featured prominent figures including Dr. Manzoor Ahmad, former ambassador, and permanent representative of Pakistan’s Mission to World Trade Organization (WTO) who advocated for Pakistan’s participation in modern trade agreements that prioritize gender and climate change. He pointed out that Pakistan collects only 50% of taxes from its international trade, a stark contrast to the global average of less than 5%.
Mohammad Shoaib Zafar, National Advisor, International Trade Centre (ITC) called for a cultural shift within the prevailing trade system, emphasizing the need for capacity building among consumers and traders. Engineer Ahad Nazir highlighted the importance of initiatives like PSW, urging for their expansion and integration with other government systems to enhance data governance and cybersecurity.
The second panel discussion moderated by Syed Ali Wasif Naqvi, Head Center for Health and Policy Innovation, SDPI hosted Dr Shahzad Ali Khan, Vice Chancellor Health Services Academy and Dr Minhaj ur Siraj, Former Joint Executive Director, PIMS.
Dr Shahzad Ali Khan said the digital transformation has transformed the previously interpersonal systems making them more liberal and progressive like emergence of telehealth medicine, AI algorithms based hospital management system and others.
CAREC countires have a very unique health system where patient and doctor are the decision makers. The progress and growth of digital health is very slow even in the developed countries. The community based health services through digital platforms is totally a different scenario, he said.
Pakistan will be the leader and biggest beneficiaries of one health roll out in CAREC countries due to it’s well trained health human resource of trade and connectivity improves between the countries, he said.
Dr Minhaj ur Siraj said the digital era is ushering us towards universal health which primarily hinges on communication, coordination and collaboration among countries.
The third panel discussion was moderated by Dr Khalid Waleed, Research Fellow SDPI participated by Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri, Executive Director SDPI, Bilal Anwar, CEO, NDRMF, Sobiah Becker, Pak-German Climate and Energy Partnership, GIZ and Kazim Saeed, CEO Pakistan Agriculture Coalition.
Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri said there are four prerequisites for policy making including institutional arrangement, financial allocation, relevant human resource, and technological solutions.
Digital transformation and connectedness cannot alone be addressed by a single policy but rather intersectoral policies ensuring seamless transition and connectivity, he said.
Blockchain provides us immutable data sets and such technology solutions provide real-time, traceable and advanced information critical for policy and decision making, he said, adding,” We need to ensure transparency in the system to ensure redressal of data protection and security concerns.”
Bilal Anwar said supply chains are the first affected during disasters like the 2022 floods made it difficult to approach impacted communities.
The solution lies in the technology that has not been exploited completely due to different reasons, he said.
The data compilation, risk assessment and needs assessment collation is the first step to ensure efficient response, he said.
The AI and advanced technological solutions have enhanced the access to communities which needs to be incorporated in the digital transformation, he said.
Sobiah Becker explained the forum on the Pak-German Partnership supporting Pakistan in achieving climate resilience and energy transition including integration of technological solutions in the existing systems using Internet of Things to make them smarter services and systems.
The moot ended with a unanimous call for extensive efforts to embrace technology and modern solutions for enhancing collaboration, connectivity and communication channels among the CAREC states and the region to enhance benefits of most modern solutions ensuring trade for climate and health solutions.
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