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Business Recorder
09-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Pakistan's software services exports surge to over $1bn for first time
Pakistan's export of software services has seen consistent growth over the last few years, surpassing $1 billion in an 11-month period for the first time in history. According to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the country earned foreign exchange of $1.01 billion through the export of software services during the period between July and May in the current financial year. This was an increase of 27.4% when compared to the $793 million figure reported in a similar period in the previous year. Overall exports of IT and Information Technology Enabled Services (ITeS) stood at $3.47 billion during the said period, of which the highest share was that of software consultancy services (29.1%.) Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) Senior Vice Chairman Muhammad Umair Nizam told Business Recorder that software consultancy services remain the main strength of Pakistan's IT industry, driving overall IT exports to an all-time high. He said the government and the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) are aggressively exploring new markets, including the Gulf, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European region to enhance its exports of software consultancy and other services. He added that these initiatives will further boost Pakistan's software exports with the efforts of IT companies and organisations like the Pakistan Software Export Board in the next few years. The IT sector fetched $534 million from computer software, $298 million from call centers, and $199 million from telecommunication services, according to data released by the central bank. Dr Noman Said, an IT exporter and CEO of SI Global Solutions, said the increase in exports of IT and IT-enabled services must be linked to efforts of IT companies as well as the regulatory facilitation of the government. However, he believes IT companies need to transform challenges into opportunities with the emergence of AI tools and solutions, which are scaling down the service demand of companies and professionals across the country. He suggested that IT companies should focus on targeting mega projects in foreign markets, including software and hardware services, and the installation of IT applications in diversified sectors. Pakistan is set to touch $4 billion in exports of IT and IT-enabled services. However, it may slightly miss the target by $100 to $150 million in the closing financial year 2024-25 due to internet disruption, analysts say.
New Indian Express
20-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Kerala catches fancy of more international IT firms
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala is poised for its next big leap in the IT landscape with over 30 international firms showing interest to set up their Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in the state. Comply, Giant Eagle and Micropolis are among the IT and ITeS (Information Technology Enabled Services) companies eager to leverage Kerala's GCC ecosystem. The high-powered IT committee appointed by the government is holding discussions with potential investors, with the support of a consortium of global consulting firms formed specifically for the purpose. 'The firms include new names and existing companies looking for an expansion. The idea of a consortium evolved at the Invest Kerala Global Summit held in February. It really worked,' said Sambasiva Rao, IT Secretary. The consortium comprises 12 leading global consulting firms, including Everest Group, Avasant and ANSR. 'Several prominent companies have already established their GCCs in Kerala. Their presence validates the state's potential in technology, innovation and human resources,' said Sambasiva Rao. Technopark CEO Sanjeev Nair said Kerala is now a flourishing centre for GCCs, offering state of the art facilities at its IT parks. 'Already several companies have their GCCs in Kerala — IBM, Allianz, Nissan Digital, EY, NOV, Insight, H&R Block, Equifax, Accenture, Guidehouse, Icon, Safran, RM Education etc. to name a few. The state is poised to accommodate more such centres,' he said. 'State's talent pool draws in IT-driven biz' According to him, talent pool availability, world-class infrastructure and a robust startup system are the factors which attract IT-driven businesses to Kerala. 'The state is becoming a product engineering hub. We have vibrant IT parks in Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode. There is a strong talent pipeline availability based on excellent academia-industry connect involving the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, Digital University Kerala, ICT Academy of Kerala and MuLearn. Another highlight is a thriving startup ecosystem under the Kerala Startup Mission,' Sanjeev Nair said. 'Kerala's strong social development indicators like highest HDI, literacy rate and internet penetration make it a best place to work and live in the country,' he added. WHAT IS GCC? A Global Capability Centre is a facility set up by international firms in talent-rich regions. GCCs help the parent company explore global talent and benefit from technological advancements besides cost advantage.
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'Distress' over care alarm 40% price hike
The son of a 94-year-old Sheffield woman has said the city council should be "ashamed" to increase the cost of her care alarm by more than 40%. The man, who wishes to remain anonymous, said the cost of his mother's alarm had risen from £21 a month to more than £30 a month. "It has caused her great distress and even made her question whether she can afford to carry on having the service" he said. Sheffield City Council confirmed that this was the first time in nine years that the cost of the City Wide Care Alarms service had increased, and those who used the service were informed in advance. The son, who lives in London, said his mother got the alarm after a fall three years ago when she spent three hours on the floor and was found by a neighbour. He said the care alarm was a "lifeline" for many people. "I live four hours away and visit regularly but can't be there at short notice," he said. "My mother is 94 and lives alone near Beighton. She has many health problems including a heart condition, diabetes and osteoporosis and is very frail and at risk of falls" "Sheffield City Council should be ashamed." A spokesperson for the council said the increase was down to additional costs such as SIM cards due to the move from "analogue to a digital service". They said the service "operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at a cost of just over £1 per day". More than 8,000 people currently use the City Wide Care Alarms service, which is scheduled to complete its digital switchover by December this year, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Meanwhile, the council's adult health and social care policy committee approved the introduction of a Technology Enabled Care (TEC) Service which would bring in more online support. This would allow people to live independently at home, with sensors to detect if people need help without them having to call for it. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North Council price hike to 'save' adult care services Safety warning as new telecare charges introduced Sheffield City Council
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'Distress' over care alarm 40% price hike
The son of a 94-year-old Sheffield woman has said the city council should be "ashamed" to increase the cost of her care alarm by more than 40%. The man, who wishes to remain anonymous, said the cost of his mother's alarm had risen from £21 a month to more than £30 a month. "It has caused her great distress and even made her question whether she can afford to carry on having the service" he said. Sheffield City Council confirmed that this was the first time in nine years that the cost of the City Wide Care Alarms service had increased, and those who used the service were informed in advance. The son, who lives in London, said his mother got the alarm after a fall three years ago when she spent three hours on the floor and was found by a neighbour. He said the care alarm was a "lifeline" for many people. "I live four hours away and visit regularly but can't be there at short notice," he said. "My mother is 94 and lives alone near Beighton. She has many health problems including a heart condition, diabetes and osteoporosis and is very frail and at risk of falls" "Sheffield City Council should be ashamed." A spokesperson for the council said the increase was down to additional costs such as SIM cards due to the move from "analogue to a digital service". They said the service "operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at a cost of just over £1 per day". More than 8,000 people currently use the City Wide Care Alarms service, which is scheduled to complete its digital switchover by December this year, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Meanwhile, the council's adult health and social care policy committee approved the introduction of a Technology Enabled Care (TEC) Service which would bring in more online support. This would allow people to live independently at home, with sensors to detect if people need help without them having to call for it. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North Council price hike to 'save' adult care services Safety warning as new telecare charges introduced Sheffield City Council
