Information Technology (IT) development among top priorities of government
ISLAMABAD- The federal secretary for science and technology, Javed Masud, has said the best thing about the initiatives taken for the development of IT and telecom sectors is that the government and private sector are moving in the same direction.
Mr Masud was talking to a World Bank delegation comprising the executive directors of different countries. He apprised the delegation of the steps taken by the government to develop the IT and telecom sector.
He said the government was determined to use science and technology as an engine of growth for national development.
IT had been placed among the top most priorities of the government, he added. He said that the development budget of the ministry had been increased from Rs150 million to Rs 5 billion.
In addition, a Rs 50 million capital fund had been established and substantial foreign and local investments had been made, the secretary said.
Briefing the delegation about the impact of the government initiatives, he said it had resulted in growing awareness about IT, success of government in creating an enabling environment, 15-year tax holiday for software export, reduction in bandwidth rates, no tax on computer parts etc.
The World Bank delegation represented 48 countries. The members of the delegation showed keen interest in the developments taking place in the country and raised many queries about the financing, implementation processes etc, to identify useful areas for assistance.
The delegation included Khalid M. Al-Saad, executive director for Kuwai; Yahya A. Al Yahya, executive director for Saudi Arabia; Yuzo Harad, executive director for Japan; Franco Passacantando, executive director for Mexico; Jerzy Hylewski, executive director for Poland; and John Wall, country director for Pakistan.
Source: Dawn
Date:3/27/2001
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