Information Technology multibillion dollars export potential | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Information Technology multibillion dollars export potential

LAHORE- Punjab Minister for Law, Dr. Khalid Ranjha, has called for human resource development to share the 600 billion dollars with global IT industry, which is expanding at a rate of 18 percent annually, while supply has been averaging 11 percent per annum.

He was addressing a seminar on “Global IT Scenario and Pakistan.” Information Technology has a multi-billion dollars export potential. Our share in this potential economic power-house depends on our ability to speedily develop the required human resource base, he added.

He said that newly formulated IT policy is aimed at producing 100,000 highly trained IT professionals annually for which a comprehensive programme has been launched that includes establishment of seven IT universities, setting up of computer department in other universities and educational institutions, besides embarking upon a number of short and long term training programmes for developing IT skills. Recognizing the IT importance for the country’s economic future, he added that efforts are being made to carve out a respectable place for the country in IT related development.

Dr. Ranjha emphasised the need for utilising IT to present Islam with full confidence and added that it would help in removing misunderstandings and promoting the cause of universal peace and harmony. For Pakistan, development of IT and software exports are an attractive option for creating jobs and solving the budget deficit problems through foreign exchange earnings, he added.

He said that IT is a knowledge-based industry and has an attractive investment option for entrepreneurs. He said that Pakistan is standing at a point where this opportunity has emerged as a blessing. He also said that the need is to cash it.
Source: Business Recorder
Date:4/8/2001