Pakistan and China agree to capture international information technology market
ISLAMABAD- Pakistan and China on December 16, 2002 agreed to enhance co-operation in various areas of information technology (IT) industry, and to start some meaningful joint ventures in software development, setting up of information technology Parks, IT Enablers Services, including Call Centres, Online Accountancy and Web Development Services, It has also been agreed that Pakistan and China will forge alliances to tap international market.
The decisions to this effect were made at a meeting held here on December 17, 2002 between the Ministry of IT & Telecommunication and the nine-member visiting delegation of Chinese Software Industry Association (CSIA) lead by Chen Chong, President, China Software Industry Association (CSIA).
Pakistan side was lead by the Federal Minister for IT & Telecommunications, Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, Secretary IT & Telecommunications Ashfaq Mehmood, and other senior officers Ministry of IT & Telecommunications were also present on the occasion.
It has been agreed that for capturing the international IT market, the two countries will benefit from each other’s experiences, The two countries will use each other’s skills and strengths to achieve the objective. China having a better experience in IT industry will assist and guide Pakistan for tapping the international IT market.
The two countries will forge alliances for the purpose. In this context Pakistan will provide good English speaking skills, marketing expertise, exposure and presence in Western and Middle Eastern IT markets.
The meeting also reviewed progress on the establishment of Beijing Telecommunication University in Pakistan and decided to expedite the work on project.
The project was moved by former Minister for S&T Professor Ata-ur-Rahman during his visit to China. Under the proposal the land will be provided by the Pakistan government and the technical expertise and laboratories will be provided by the Chinese government. The Chinese government has submitted a MoU for the project.
Addressing the meeting Federal Minister for IT & Telecommunications, Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, said that Pakistan and China enjoy long history of friendship and diplomatic relations.
The respect for China in Pakistan starting from the level of government to the grass roots level.
He emphasised on the need to translate this friendship into a strong economic relationship. “By having a strong collaboration in IT field, we will take our relationships to new frontiers”, said Awais.
The Minister said Pakistan offers numerous benefits to international companies outsourcing IT and Telecommunication projects. These benefits include low-cost readily available trained manpower, lowest bandwidth costs in the region, Software Technology Parks wired with state-of-the-art fiber-optic connectivity and a fast-growing IT-enabled services sector which include Call Centres, Remote data, Online accountancy and web development services.
Chen Chong, President China Software Industry Association (CSIA) said China is attaching great importance to Pak-China co-operation in IT & Telecom the visit of CSIA delegation is a big event for Chinese ministry of Information Technology.
He said after visiting various Pakistan IT & Telecom educational institutes, software companies etc. he is very confident that there are strong prospects of enhanced Pak-China co-operation.
He said Chinese software companies, which are visiting Pakistan, impressed with the government policies and working on plans with Pakistani companies to start joint Collaboration projects. Some Chinese companies have expressed the desire to hire professionals from Pakistan.
Pakistan and China have also agreed to initiate some joint research and development projects in Information Technology, exchange of professionals and transfer of technology and expertise.
It has also been decided that in various projects Pakistani and Chinese IT companies will be encouraged to enter into mergers and co-operate to enhance exports and compete with other leading software exporting nations in the region.
Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), and CSIA will play, the role of bridges for co-operation in both countries software industries.
The members of Chinese delegation include Chen Chong, President China Software Industry Association (CSIA). Other members of delegation include Hu Kunshan, Secretary General, CSIA Gao Hangwang, Director, MII, China, Ma Zhenping, General Manager, South Asia Dept., SGS Touch Screen Computer Co Ltd, Li Dongsheng, Director, Xi-an Software Park, Fu Daliang, General
Manager, ZTE Co, Hu Quanpeng, 1st IT Secretary, Chinese Embassy in Pakistan and Ms Shu Lin, Translator and External Liaison, CSIA.
Source: Business Recorder
Date:12/17/2002
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