Latest news with #NationalIncubationCenter
Express Tribune
3 days 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
3 days 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
Business Recorder
03-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
UAF holds ‘Startup Graduation Ceremony'
FAISALABAD: The National Incubation Center (NIC) established at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) on Monday organised Startup Graduation Ceremony in which 11 startups graduated for cohort 4. The ceremony was meant to highlight a significant milestone in the NICF continued efforts and contribution to foster entrepreneurship and support young innovators. Coordinator to Prime Minister on Commerce Rana Ihsan Afzal Khan as chief guest said the government was committed to flourish innovative projects aimed at uplifting the country and maximize national progress. He said that the government is supporting private sector to foster entrepreneurship and economic growth. He added that these efforts are focused on creating maximum job opportunities for people across the country. UAF Vice Chancellor Dr Zulfiqar Ali, in his message, called for honing the innovative and entrepreneurial skills among the young generation that will ultimately pave a way for knowledge based economy. He stressed upon the need to think out-of-the-box to address the challenges and contribute for the development of the country. Ignite National Technology Fund Assistant Manager Moaz Nasir said that it was beginning of a journey where entrepreneurs will shape the future through ideas, resilience and passion. Awais Zaidi form Faisalabad IT Companies Organization (Fitco) said that it is amazing to see that our young startups are not only solving real-world problems but also contributing to the economic development of Pakistan which will play a pivotal role in long run. Head of TMUC Nighat Nasreen lauded the efforts of UAF and said that the university is providing a platform to its students where they are enjoying best possible facilities and opportunities to excel in their relevant fields and make themselves worthy for the nation. NICF Project Director Zeeshan Shahid said startups have successfully tackled critical challenges such as food security, water scarcity, and climate change. He said that since its inception in September 2022, NICF has incubated around 80 startups, generating over 1,100 jobs and contributing significantly to Pakistan's economic growth. Director BIC Dr Iftikhar Ahmad Business Incubation Center said that all-out efforts were being carried out to polish the innovative and startup skills of the students. Three startups of Dr Zaheer Ahmad, Waqar Bin Shahid and Nouman Sandhu were given awards. Graduating startups presented their innovative business models and shared their journeys, challenges and successes during the period. Several startups showcased cutting-edge solutions in agri-tech, education, healthcare and digital services, reflecting the diverse and vibrant entrepreneurial skills. Prominent academic figures, industry leaders, startup founders and aspiring entrepreneurs attended the ceremony. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
12-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
10th iteration of Pakistan Investor Summit kicks off in Karachi
National Incubation Center (NIC) Karachi's 'Pakistan Investor Summit 2025 – Summer Edition' kicked off on Monday. It is set to feature some 20 high-growth startups, and bring together more than 100 investors, startups, policy makers, and industry professionals, it said in a statement. The idea is to create space for 'strategic partnerships and transformative funding opportunities', it added. According to a post on LinkedIn, the judges of Day 1's Pitch Fest will be 'none other than the NIC Karachi alumni who've walked the founder journey themselves.' This includes Muhammad Ghayas Ahmedani, CEO of Zaaviaa Solutions, Anusha Shahid, Co-Founder of Muhammad Furqan Karim Kidwai, Director of ASF Tech Partners, Aurangzaib Alamgir, Founder of Porter Pakistan, Sidra Shakeel, Co-Founder of Fortify and Mirza Saad Baig, Founder of Rawts. 'These exceptional individuals have built impactful ventures, raised capital and navigated the startup grind and now, they are back to guide the next generation of founders,' NIC Karachi said in its post. It also said that a high-impact roundtable will feature investors, founders and finance experts exploring early-stage investing, portfolio planning, and risk management. The workshop will feature insights from the, COO of YB Holdings on how smart capital is reshaping investment returns and Farhan Bashir Khan, CEO of Alpha Beta Core on understanding investor risk appetite and return expectations. The event is Funded by the Ignite National Technology Fund under the *Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication. According to its statement, over the past six years, NIC Karachi has incubated 376 startups across fintech, edtech, healthtech, agritech, and industrial tech. These ventures have raised Rs12 billion in investment, generated RsPKR 10 billion in revenue, and created over 1 million jobs, it said. Syed Azfar Hussain, Project Director of NIC Karachi, said: 'This summit reflects our belief that local innovation deserves global capital. We are building bridges between visionary founders and the investors who can help accelerate their journey.' Summit highlights include:
Express Tribune
08-02-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
‘AI Seekho' takes Karachi by storm: Students engage in Google's AI initiative
Google and GDG Kolachi arranged an inspiring session to learn about AI, machine learning, data science and related disciplines. The event took place at the National Incubation Center (NIC) Karachi – Google, in collaboration with GDG Kolachi, hosted AI Seekho, a groundbreaking initiative designed to equip aspiring professionals with expertise in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Data, and Infrastructure. The event witnessed an overwhelming response, with 100+ attendees actively participating in the sessions. The theme of the event was 'Karachi Walo AI Seekho,' highlighting the importance of AI education for Karachi's tech community. AI Seekho is a Google Cloud initiative, offering a structured curriculum and hands-on training to empower individuals with the skills necessary to excel in the ever-evolving AI landscape. This in-person training program in Karachi brought together industry experts, seasoned mentors, and an expert-led community to provide participants with an immersive learning experience. Through AI Seekho, learners gain practical insights into AI, ML, and cloud-based technologies, helping them build proficiency in leveraging Google Cloud's powerful tools and frameworks. Under the guidance of Arhum Ishtiaq, CTO and Co-founder of ConnectHear, and the GDG Kolachi team—Danella Patrick, Hassam Jawed, Hassan Mujtaba, Aashir Ahmed, Muhammad Ateeb, Hafiz Munim, Fizza Khan, and Huzaifa Habib—participants gained practical knowledge and hands-on experience with AI and ML tools. The program was structured to help individuals build their technical capabilities, enhance problem-solving skills, and engage with a dynamic network of AI practitioners. The Karachi edition of AI Seekho was organized by GDG Kolachi, a leading tech community dedicated to fostering knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and innovation in the region. Through workshops, discussions, and interactive sessions, AI Seekho aimed to bridge the gap between academia and industry by providing real-world applications of AI/ML technologies. 'AI is shaping the future of technology, and with AI Seekho, we want to ensure that Pakistani professionals have access to world-class learning resources and mentorship. This initiative is a step towards creating an AI-driven workforce that can contribute to the global tech ecosystem,' said the GDG Kolachi team. The event featured insightful discussions, live demos, and networking opportunities, making it an unmissable occasion for AI enthusiasts, students, and professionals looking to advance their careers in data science, AI development, and cloud infrastructure. AI Seekho – Google Cloud self-study program In addition to the in-person training, AI Seekho also offers an online Google Cloud self-study program designed for developers in Pakistan. This program provides access to hands-on Google Cloud labs and fosters learning through a supportive community of peers. Participants can explore cutting-edge technologies like Gemini and Vertex AI, develop AI/ML, Data, and Infrastructure skills, and engage with industry experts. To encourage continuous learning, participants can complete the learning challenges between January 23 - February 20, 2025, to qualify for a Google Cloud swag pack. GDG Kolachi remains committed to supporting more developers in joining this initiative and advancing their AI skills. For more details on AI Seekho and how to participate in future events, visit About AI Seekho AI Seekho is a Google Cloud Skills Boost initiative designed to provide hands-on training in AI, ML, and data technologies. The program is tailored for aspiring professionals and students seeking industry-relevant skills to excel in the tech sector. Participants gain access to Google Cloud's AI/ML learning pathways, enabling them to develop expertise in cutting-edge cloud solutions. About GDG Kolachi GDG Kolachi is a vibrant developer community in Pakistan that brings together tech enthusiasts, developers, and industry experts to collaborate, learn, and innovate through meetups, workshops, and large-scale events.
