IT sector is the key driver to increase the digital exports: Ahsan Iqbal

ISLAMABAD, April 27 (SABAH): Federal Minister for Planning Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhry on Thursday set up a Steering Committee comprising experts from IT and private sector for the implementation of digital transformation and to increase digital exports in the country.

The Minister made this announcement while addressing to a roundtable conference on Digital Transformation in Pakistan organized by the Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives on Thursday, after a report on Pakistan’s digital journey, Recommendations for Digital Transformation in Pakistan was launched by Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce & Industry (OCCI). The report prepared by OICCI covers wide-ranging suggestions to boost digital infrastructure and connectivity, e-governance, e-commerce, EdTech, Fintech, AgriTech, HealthTech, IT exports and Web 3.0 technologies. The report argues that digitisation has the potential to add $60 billion to the economy by 2030 if the government creates a favourable investment climate for local and foreign investors to fill in the large gaps in digital infrastructure and connectivity.

Speaking on the occasion, the Planning Minister highlighted that the IT sector is the key driver to increase the digital exports while reiterated that the government is committed to give a top priority to the sector to increase digital exports.

The Steering Committee will hold meetings every month to implement the recommendations of OCCI over digital transformation To increase exports is the only solution to get rid of the country’s economic problems, said the Planning Minister while assuring the stakeholders that the government will implement the recommendations of ICCI. It is noted that last week the Planning Minister formed a 15-member National Task Force on Artificial Intelligence aimed at achieving the required goals of national development. The key objective of the [task force] is to develop a 10-year roadmap for accelerated adoption of AI in the business, development, governance, education and healthcare sectors. Since the government came into power in April 2022, several initiatives have been taken to improve the country’s economy.

Ahsan Iqbal has constantly argued that political stability is the key factor for the economic growth in the country. “Due to political instability Pakistan unfortunately could not achieve development targets which its neighboring countries like India and Bangladesh have achieved by ensuring the political stability for the period of 10 years” remarked the minister.