THE PAKISTAN-US Tech Investment Conference, which was organized in California on November 10, marked a high moment in the South Asian nation’s information technology (IT) sector with an initial commitment of more than $20 million by American firms led by Pakistani-American businessmen, a press release issued by the Pakistani Embassy in the US said. It called the development a “pivotal moment” in the country’s IT sector.
The event was inaugurated by the Pakistani Ambassador to the US, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, while it was led and organized by the Pakistani Consulate in Los Angeles and backed by various government bodies of Pakistan, including the IT and telecom and commerce ministries, Pakistan Software Export Board and Trade Development Authority of Pakistan.
Local partners included OPEN-SV and the California-based Pakistan-American Tech Council.
The conference was held at Stanford University and steered by Asim Ali Khan. The participants included those from IT firms, venture capitalists, tech professionals as well as members of the Pakistani diaspora. Elected and government officials, dignitaries and representatives of the media were also present. A representative from the IS State Department’s economic team for Pakistan was also seen.
Pakistani minister speaks about govt commitment to IT sector
Shaza Fatima Khawja, Pakistan’s Minister of state for IT and Telecommunication, spoke on the occasion about the government’s unwavering commitment to bringing improvements in the country’s IT sector and reaching the export target worth $25 billion, the press release added.
Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh inaugurated the Pakistan-U.S. Tech Investment Conference, marking a pivotal moment for Pakistan’s IT sector with an initial commitment of over $20 million by American companies led by Pakistani-American entrepreneurs.
The event, led and organized… pic.twitter.com/84UFwKXDSC
— Pakistan Embassy US (@PakinUSA) November 11, 2024
She also mentioned about strategic initiatives to boost an environment-friendly environment and appealed to the diaspora to make use of the opportunities. According to her, Pakistan’s IT sector was flourishing, with exports exceeding $3 billion. She said the government was fully focused on supporting the IT sector, encouraging innovation and ensuring that the momentum persists to bring technological and economic advancements.
Ambassador Sheikh mentioned about Pakistan’s geo-strategic environment and highlighted its “cost-effectiveness and competitive quality” in the arena of IT. He also emphasized on the country’s youthful, skilled and resilient people as a key driver of growth, which is backed by the government’s policies to utilize a demographic dividend and turn it into a sustainable economic asset.
The diplomat also invited US businesses to explore the South Asian nation’s vibrant market and urged the Pakistani-American tech brains to act as a bridge to achieve deeper economic collaboration.
The conference touched upon projects in areas such as artificial intelligence, fintech, health tech, e-commerce, and software development, the press release said. Central Business District Punjab spoke about its advanced IT infrastructure initiatives to appeal to American investors.
A panel discussion was also held to highlight success of American firms operating in Pakistan’s IT sector, covering areas such as semiconductor design and software development.
South Asians Globally
