ISLAMABAD: Government is committed to bring about revolution in the information technology (IT) Industry to boost the software exports up to six billion dollars till 2020, Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication, Anusha Rehman said here Thursday.
She was addressing the `Stakeholders Consultation to Review Draft National IT Policy 2016'.
" Pakistan has a large pool of young and energetic human resources. Information technology industry has a great potential for creating employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for these educated human resources of Pakistan."
In pursuance of the Vision of "Digital Pakistan" of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC) under the guidance of Ministry of IT and telecom has established a cloud based National Data Center for the government and public sector entities, she said.
We have witnessed a dynamic revolution in the sphere of IT and Telecom Sector, our broadband penetration, which was merely less than 3% in 2013 has crossed 24% now. We are already working to provide Information and Communication Technology (ICT) services and to connect the un-connected in whole of Pakistan with a special focus on un-served and under-served areas of the country and there will be a complete roll-out by December, 2018", she said.
The government organizations which have adopted effective IT solutions for their functions have excelled in their service. To make the governments effective and efficient, it is imperative to adopt appropriate information technology solutions to serve the citizens" she maintained.
The directions have already given for the development of
incubators that would help provide academia-industry research, linkages and thus inculcating spirit of entrepreneurship in the country.
To attract large international IT companies first step is to set up Software Technology Parks, she said. To enable local IT companies to transform into world-class companies, a conducive environment is required in which they can collaborate with large international businesses, she added.
She mentioned other steps taken by the government, including a tele-centre project, and setting up of software technology parks and a tech city in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi.
Anusha said, "Universal Service Fund (USF) and Microsoft are already establishing 50 computer laboratories at Women Empowerment Centres (WECs) working in country under Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal (PBM) to equip the vulnerable segment of society with information and communication technologies.
She said, "Women is an unserved-segment of the society that's why we give priority to the girls. Under the ICT for girls programme, around 112 rural girls schools will be equipped with computers. At primary level all school across the county would have computer labs.
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