Page 10 - CMA Journal (Nov-Dec 2024)

Exclusive Interview

To further support this growing sector, we are actively
working on the Freelancers Facilitation Policy, which will
provide additional benefits and ease of doing business
for freelancers across Pakistan. Freelancer remittances have
ICMA: How is the Ministry encouraging become an increasingly
private-sector innovation in the digital ecosystem?
important part of Pakistan’s
IT Minister: We strongly support private-sector
innovation in the digital ecosystem. Pakistan’s telecom economy, reaching USD 504
industry, which provides the foundation for digital
innovation, is primarily driven by the private sector. The million in FY 2023-24 – an
Ministry of IT & Telecom (MoITT) is actively fostering
private-sector innovation through the National impressive 38.36% increase
Incubation Center (NIC) Program, managed by Ignite –
National Technology Fund. The NICs are from USD 364.3 milion in the
government-funded but operated by private-sector
entities, ensuring a dynamic, industry-driven approach previous fiscal year. To further
to technology entrepreneurship.
support this growing sector,
These incubation centers provide startups with access to
mentorship, state-of-the-art facilities, business we are actively working on the
development support, and investor linkages—all
facilitated by experts from the private sector. The NIC Freelancers Facilitation Policy
Program serves as a launchpad for tech-driven
businesses, enabling startups to scale, commercialize
innovative solutions, and integrate into the broader
The ICT industry delivered a trade surplus of USD 2.827
digital economy. By bridging the gap between startups, billion (87.71% of total ICT export remittances) in FY
investors, and industry leaders, NICs play a pivotal role in
2023-24, a 22.31% increase from USD 2.297 billion in the
strengthening Pakistan’s innovation landscape and previous fiscal year (FY 2022-23). This surplus helped
enhancing public-private collaboration in digital
mitigate the country's foreign currency crunch at a
transformation.
critical time. In contrast, the overall Services sector
The e-Rozgaar Centers Program is also being recorded a trade deficit of USD 2.313 billion in FY
implemented in collaboration with private-sector 2023-24.
players to empower freelancers. Additionally, PayPal
To further strengthen the IT sector, MoITT conducted
payments have been facilitated through a third-party nationwide industry consultation sessions to identify key
intermediary, simplifying transaction processes for
challenges and develop export enhancement strategies.
freelancers.
In addition to introducing business-friendly policies, the
The Cloud First Policy will enable private-sector cloud government has launched several industry facilitation
service providers to offer their services to public sector initiatives, including Technology parks; E-Rozgaar
entities in Pakistan. centers; Subsidies; Certifications’ and close collaboration
with industry stakeholders. These efforts aim to
Above all, the Digital Economy Enhancement Project continuously uplift the IT sector and ensure sustainable
(DEEP) will further encourage private-sector
export growth. I would also like to commend the
participation in the digital ecosystem. The project aims industry players for their consistent contributions in
to develop Pakistan's Digital Government Enterprise
driving Pakistan’s IT exports forward over the years.
Architecture, creating a government ecosystem that
transcends existing processes and siloed departments. ICMA: How will the Digital FDI Initiative attract global
This includes mapping roles and responsibilities and investors?
establishing key principles across technology, business,
IT Minister: Pakistan has taken a pioneering step in
information, and service design.
enhancing its digital economy by being the first country
ICMA: What strategies drove record IT export growth, to implement the Digital Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
and how will it be sustained? Initiative, launched by the World Economic Forum (WEF)
and the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) at Davos
IT Minister: Pakistan’s IT & IT-enabled Services (ITeS)
in 2022. This initiative aims to facilitate cross-border
sector is playing a pivotal role in exports and foreign investment in the digital economy, particularly in
exchange earnings. During FY24, ICT export remittances
emerging markets, and marks the beginning of
surged to USD 3.223 billion, accounting for 41.3% of total Pakistan’s Digital FDI-Enabling Project (DEP).
services exports—the highest among all service sectors.

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