IT exports nearing $500m

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s IT exports increased by 35% during the current fiscal year with the forecast to touch $500 million till end June 2015.It was informed during the meeting of Board of Directors of Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) which met here Tuesday.
The Minister of State for IT Anusha Rahman presided over the meeting which assessed the state of the IT industry and evaluated steps being taken to bolster long term growth of the IT industry, to boost IT exports and to attract investment for the IT Sector.
The private sector was represented by CEO Netsol and Chairman P@SHA. The minister stated that ministry of IT has declared the current year as “the Year of IT”. Hence, PSEB should focus on capacity building of IT companies and international marketing of IT products to further strengthen IT sector.
She said that capacity enhancement of IT sector though public private partnership will certainly enhance the volume of IT exports. Initiation of CMMI certification program of PSEB will go a long way in improving the quality of IT companies and their products and services.
MD PSEB, Asim Shahryar Husain, apprised the board regarding recent achievements starting with a 35% growth in IT exports over last year with a forecast of $500 million in IT remittances for 2014-15.
He reported that the number of software houses and call centers registered with PSEB has increased by 12% during the first 8 months of 2014-15. He mentioned that PSEB had setup a Pakistan pavilion for the first time in the history of Mobile World Congress 2015 in Barcelona where mobile apps companies of Pakistan demonstrated their expertise in design and development of mobile apps and games. Around 110 leads were generated from the event with an expected business value of $1 million.
He also mentioned that a Saudi group is exploring the option of acquiring different IT companies of Pakistan and then taking them public through IPOs. PSEB is their strategic partner and roadshows will be organised in Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi in end of April for this purpose.
Anusha Rahman, directed PSEB to explore new incubation projects on the pattern of Google’s TechCity, etc. which could be financed through Saarc Development Fund. She further directed MD PSEB to concentrate on the CMMI certification project and that PSEB may train 5-6 auditors initially and then these auditors will audit and certify maturity level of IT companies with exports potential of $1 million a year or more.
The minister applauded PSEB’s efforts for reducing bandwidth tariffs by 35% for IT companies and hence reducing their cost of operations. The minister directed PSEB that every project proposal must be submitted with clear timelines so that its progress and results could be monitored on a regular basis in order to get optimum results.
She asked PSEB to focus on capacity enhancement of IT companies and directed PSEB to explore ways and means to help starts ups and young entrepreneurs. She further directed PSEB to launch capacity enhancement programs for IT companies which could prove to be instrumental in boosting IT exports.