Pakistan Software Export Board
Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) started in 1995 when there was only a handful of software companies in Pakistan. Today there are over 400 companies registered with PSEB. Impressive as these figures may be, we feel that the exponential growth is just beginning.
Whereas the IT programme has many facets the focus of PSEB is on one, and only one aspect, and that is to increase the forex earning through IT experts. However, this one goal has to be pursued through many parallel initiatives. We have to develop our IT manpower, we have to do aggressive marketing, create model business plans and prototypes to establish the proof of concept and once the model is successful the private sector is expected to replicate it and carry the baton from this point onwards.
In this light the software technology Parks setup by the government are only the start of what we believe to be the beginning of a series of STPs mushrooming throughout the country.
The rapid growth is only possible with the active participation of the private sector. The government will of course, continue to do its share in providing the infrastructure. Establishing of STPs is one of the many roles that PSEB plays.
PSEB plans to enhance its web portal so that it is the prime source of information for employers to advertise jobs, for individuals to post their resumes, for businesses to find business partners, for businesses to find marketing information, and a host of other information that would help them in providing various IT services.
Another major initiative is to introduce the concept of account executives to extend focused assistance. The Account Executives program will be segmented by the size and profile of a company.
Larger companies, that are established elsewhere and would like to have a branch in Pakistan, generally have a good business plans and marketing muscle. They also have a good suite of products or services. They require suppot in logistics and government procedures. This is where the PSEB Account Executive would step in. such a company would be allocated a dedicated Account Executive whose sole job would be to facilitate all their needs ranging from physical space, to bandwidth, to licenses and any other possible service that will help them get established. Once the company is established he would move on to another company.
Smaller start-up companies require additional support. They may need help in marketing their products and services, they may also need help in making business alliances, establishing reliable supply chains, and getting international exposure. For these start-ups companies there would be a different set of Account Executives. They would know the typical problems faced by the start-ups and would work with several companies at a time giving advice and facilitation.
There are just a couple of examples. We will be sharing more details on our web site www.pseb.org.pk, www.pseb.org as and when they develop.
Source: Business Recorder
Date:9/17/2001
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