Latest news with #NITB
Express Tribune
18 hours ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
PM wants $30 billion IT exports target achieved
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday, appreciating the achievement of the previous year's IT export target of $3.8 billion by the Ministry of Information Technology, directed formulation of a comprehensive action plan for annual targets and measures to surpass the $30 billion target in the coming years. The prime minister, chairing a meeting to review the initiatives of National Information Technology Board (NITB) and the Ministry of Information Technology, said that the government was taking measures to advance its economy through digitization, aligning it with modern requirements. Highlighting the introduction of complete digital ecosystem to achieve IT exports target of $30 billion, he directed the restructuring of NITB and the recruitment of the best talent from the market. He appreciated the establishment of centers to make youth, especially women, self-reliant in the IT sector for employment opportunities, as thousands of youth were securing respectable employment through the Digital Youth Hub and gaining the capability to compete internationally. He observed that the implementation of e-Office had led to paperless governance in government offices, resulting in savings of both time and resources. During the briefing on the progress of NITB's restructuring and the initiatives of the Ministry of Information Technology, it was informed that in the financial year 2025, Pakistan's IT sector exports achieved a 19% growth, surpassing the $3.8 billion target, while the number of freelancers in the country increased by 91%. It was told that under the National Incubation Center, 386 new startups were supported, 14 were sent to the global stage, and 40 e-employment centers were established in 26 cities across the country. Four Pakistani teams were ranked among the top 50 globally at Black Hat MEA, and investment agreements and MoUs worth $700 million were signed. Moreover, approximately 315,000 students, including around 115,000 women, were provided professional IT training to ensure equal opportunities for women in the IT sector. The National Incubation Center supported 130 women-led startups, and dedicated training centers for women were established nationwide. Additionally, 2,200 federal government officers and staff were trained, and around 3,000 students received cybersecurity training. The representatives of the meeting were told that Rs. 6.2 billion in taxes were collected through Pak-App. E-Office implementation reached 98% in federal government offices, and 51 new systems were introduced to enhance governance. During the briefing on the telecom sector, it was told that last year, the target of providing 4G access to over 580,000 people was surpassed. Telecom connections crossed the 200 million mark, with 1 million new internet users and a 24% increase in internet usage during the last financial year. Regarding NITB, it was informed that work on creating a modern system aligned with contemporary requirements was in its final stages. The Board is working on over 179 websites, more than 31 mobile applications, over 113 portals, and 57 consultancy projects. The NITB's restructuring focuses on enhancing user experience, preparing for future changes, building modern infrastructure, improving governance and service delivery, strengthening cybersecurity, risk management and research.
Business Recorder
20 hours ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
PM seeks roadmap for $30bn IT export target
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed the Ministry of Information Technology to prepare a comprehensive roadmap with annual benchmarks and actionable strategies to surpass the $30 billion IT exports target in coming years. This directive from the prime minister came in the wake of the Ministry of IT, headed by Shaza Fatima Khawaja, not only meeting but surpassing its export target of $3.8 billion in the previous fiscal year. Chairing a high-level meeting on the initiatives of the Ministry of Information Technology and the National Information Technology Board (NITB), Sharif said digitization remained a key government priority to stimulate economic growth and align the national economy with modern global standards. PM Shehbaz orders roadmap to boost Pakistan's IT exports to $30bn 'A complete digital ecosystem and supporting infrastructure is being developed to raise IT exports to $30 billion,' he added. The prime minister stated that a comprehensive digital ecosystem, along with its supporting infrastructure, is being developed to boost IT exports to $30 billion. He emphasised that alignment with international standards is crucial to maintaining sustained economic growth. Sharif also ordered a thorough restructuring of the NITB, recommending the recruitment of leading professionals from the private sector to strengthen the institution. Officials briefed the prime minister about key achievements in the IT sector. According to officials, IT exports grew by 19 percent in the 2025 fiscal year, while the number of freelancers in the country increased by 91 percent. Under the National Incubation Center, 386 startups received support, with 14 reaching international markets. Additionally, 40 e-Rozgaar (employment) centres were established across 26 cities to facilitate employment in the digital economy. Four Pakistani teams ranked among the top 50 at the Black Hat MEA cybersecurity event. Investment agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) worth $700 million were signed during the year. The meeting was informed that approximately 315,000 students received IT training, including 115,000 women. Furthermore, 130 women-led startups were supported, and specialised training centres for women were established nationwide. Cybersecurity training was provided to 2,200 federal officers and 3,000 students. In terms of governance reforms, the implementation of the e-Office system has reached 98 percent of federal departments. Tax collection through the Pak-App totalled Rs6.2 billion. Fifty-one new systems have been introduced to improve efficiency and service delivery. The telecom sector also saw significant growth, with 580,000 new users gaining access to 4G services in the past year. Total telecom connections have now surpassed 200 million and internet usage increased by 24 percent. NITB officials reported that the board's restructuring is nearing completion. It currently manages more than 179 websites, 31 mobile applications, 113 portals, and 57 consultancy projects. The restructuring plan includes improvements in user experience, infrastructure modernisation, service delivery, cybersecurity, research and innovation, and workforce development. The meeting was attended by federal ministers Ahad Cheema and Shaza Fatima Khawaja, and other senior officials. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Arab News
a day ago
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan PM calls for roadmap to boost IT exports to $30 billion
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed authorities to draw up a roadmap to gradually raise Pakistan's information technology (IT) exports to $30 billion, urging concrete annual targets and reforms to accelerate digital growth. IT is a priority sector for Pakistan, which has been seeking new markets, particularly in the Gulf region, for tech firms and startups, and looking to attract greater foreign investment. The sector generated $3.8 billion in export revenue during the last fiscal year, marking a 19 percent year-on-year increase, according to the IT ministry. 'A complete digital ecosystem and infrastructure is being introduced to take Pakistan's IT exports to $30 billion,' the prime minister said at a meeting in Islamabad, according to a statement from his office. 'We are taking priority measures to align the economy with modern requirements through digitization.' Sharif praised the growth in freelancing, women's participation and professional training under federal IT programs, noting the establishment of e-employment centers, digital youth hubs and expanded 4G access across the country. He also ordered the restructuring of the National Information Technology Board (NITB), including the recruitment of top-tier professionals from the market, and called for timely completion of all IT initiatives. During the meeting, officials said that over 315,000 students had received IT training in the past year, including 115,000 women, while 386 startups were supported under the National Incubation Center, and nearly $700 million in investment agreements and MoUs were signed. Pakistan also saw a 91 percent increase in the number of freelancers.
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
PM Shehbaz orders roadmap to boost Pakistan's IT exports to $30bn
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to present a comprehensive roadmap with phased annual targets to increase Pakistan's IT exports to $30 billion in the coming years, after the sector achieved a record $3.8 billion in FY2025. The directive came during a meeting to review the progress of reforms in the IT sector and the restructuring of the National Information Technology Board (NITB) in Islamabad on Friday. 'We are taking priority measures for Pakistan's digitisation to boost the economy and align it with modern-day requirements,' the PM said. 'To achieve $30 billion in IT exports, a complete digital ecosystem and its infrastructure are being introduced,' he added. PM instructed the reorganisation of the NITB's infrastructure and the recruitment of top talent from the market. He welcomed the establishment of centres aimed at making youth, especially women, self-reliant in the IT sector. 'With the implementation of e-Office, paperless governance in public offices is saving both time and resources,' he said. Pakistan's software services exports surge to over $1bn for first time During the meeting, the prime minister noted that thousands of youth are securing employment through the Digital Youth Hub. 'We are equipping our youth with IT education and skills to enhance their competitiveness at the international level,' he said. The meeting was briefed on the progress of NITB's reorganisation and the Ministry of IT initiatives. It was informed that, due to the ministry's efforts, Pakistan's IT exports grew by 19% in FY2025, reaching the $3.8 billion target, while the number of freelancers increased by 91%. Under the National Incubation Centre (NIC), 386 new startups were supported, 14 were sent abroad, and 40 e-employment centres were established across 26 cities. Four Pakistani teams were ranked among the world's top 50 at Black Hat MEA, and investment and MoU agreements worth $700 million were signed. The meeting was further told that around 315,000 students received professional IT training, including approximately 115,000 women, to ensure equal opportunities for them in the IT sector. The NIC supported 130 women-led startups, and special training centres for women were set up across the country. Additionally, 2,200 federal government officers and staff were trained, along with around 3,000 students in cybersecurity. Briefing on governance improvement through digitisation, it was informed that Rs6.2 billion in taxes had been collected through the Pak-App. The e-Office system had been implemented in 98% of federal government offices, and 51 new systems had been introduced to improve governance. Regarding the telecom sector, the meeting was told that more than 580,000 people were provided access to 4G services during the last year, the number of telecom connections surpassed 200 million, one million new internet users were added, and internet usage increased by 24%. On NITB's development, it was reported that the formation of new systems aligned with modern requirements was in the final stages. NITB is currently working on more than 179 websites, over 31 mobile applications, more than 113 portals, and 57 consultancy projects. The NITB's reorganisation is focused on improving user experience, preparing for future changes, building modern infrastructure, enhancing governance and service delivery, strengthening cybersecurity, risk management, research, innovation, and workforce capacity.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
13 shops likely to open in new Trichy airport terminal
Trichy: More than a year after Airports Authority of India (AAI) commissioned the integrated terminal building (NITB) at Trichy international airport, the airport management has reinitiated the process to operationalize at least 13 shops including a restaurant in the new terminal. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This comes in the wake of the state's second busiest international airport drawing flak from flyers for limited availability of shops and lack of restaurant options despite passenger footfall constantly rising in the swanky terminal. The Rs1,112 crore building commissioned in June last year has not been successful in utilising commercial space since Dec 2024 to operate retail shops, and food and beverages outlets. While a tender floated was cancelled on technical grounds, AAI has initiated the process for a re-tender with Oct 2025 as deadline. Around 13 shops are likely to be opened by the end of the year including five commercial spaces for retail shops and a few eateries. "Lounge facility has been introduced. Simultaneously, we will complete tender formalities in three months to open shops inside the airport at the earliest," airport director Gnaneswara Rao told TOI. International passengers travelling with family have been expressing concern over lack of economical options for dinner and breakfast during their waiting time at the gates. Since meals provided by airlines are both limited and expensive, passengers have been relying on shops in the airport which often remain overcrowded. "Existing facilities for passengers are inadequate during peak hours. While additional services are planned by airlines to Mumbai, and a new direct domestic service to Delhi, AAI should focus on improving passenger amenities," A R Yogendran, a frequent flyer from Trichy, said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now While domestic passenger movement in the airport is gradually improving with the airport recording historical best footfall in June, passengers want commercial outlets in domestic departure zones too since most domestic services are either in the morning or evening. The limited availability of shops had robbed Trichy airport of improved ranking in Airport Service Quality (ASQ) survey conducted by Airports Council International (ACI) in 2024. Under the parameter 'availability of shops and value for money of restaurants', the airport lost ratings.
