Pakistanis overtake Indians in German IT market | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Pakistanis overtake Indians in German IT market

LAHORE- Pakistani professionals have taken lead over the Indians in German market in the field of Information Technology. The number of Pakistani IT professionals in Germany between August-October 2000 has gone to 953, which is highest after Romania. The Indians stand third with total number of 893.

Addressing a seminar Opportunities for Pakistan software houses in Germany,” organised by Khan and Associates, Peter H. Muerz, head of economic and commercial section of German Embassy in Islamabad, said that there exists vast scope for Pakistani IT professionals in the German markets, hence they should take advantage of the opportunity. He said that the ratio of Romanian IT professionals in Germany is 11 percent, Pakistanis 8 percent and Indians with 7 percent.

He said that from August 2000 to October 2000 his government received as many as 4,112 requests from Pakistani IT experts, of these 953 were accepted. Likewise, 4,713 Indians applied for visa while 839 were allowed to work in Germany.

According to the statistics given by him, the number of applications received from India stood higher than Pakistan but its ratio of acceptance remained less than Pakistan.

Muerz said that there was a lot of scope for setting up software houses in Germany. He said since establishment of diplomatic ties between the two governments in 1952, his government made a lot of investment in Pakistan, which is reflection of good relations between the two countries. He said that up to 1993, Germany had invested 3.91 billion marks only on technical co-operation.

He said that at present 400,000 IT companies were functioning in Germany. IT infrastructure is cheaper, therefore, it has become more lucrative for the developing countries.

Mansoor Khan of Khan and Associates highlighting the aims and objectives of the seminar said that its very purpose was to devise strategies how Pakistan could benefit from German software companies. He also proposed for setting up working groups to explore opportunities for Pakistan software houses in German markets.
Source: Business Recorder
Date:1/11/2001