ISLAMABAD:
According to Jordanian Ambassador to Pakistan Ibrahim Almadani, the information technology (IT) sector is a vital pillar of Jordan’s economy, and the Arab country is working to establish itself as a significant IT player and exporter of IT solutions.
He advised Pakistani IT companies to seek joint venture and investment opportunities in Jordan, saying it would help them increase exports to regional countries. He spoke to the business community at the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) on Friday.
He committed to play a key role in boosting Jordan-Pakistan collaboration in IT, pharmaceuticals, defence, and other prospective industries in order to achieve mutually advantageous outcomes for both countries’ economies.
He praised the state-of-the-art facilities and other incentives provided to IT companies in Pakistan’s software technology parks, as well as IT experts’ efforts to create world-class goods and services.
On the occasion, ICCI President Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan informed the ambassador on the potential of Pakistan’s IT industry, emphasising that the sector was growing steadily, allowing it to play a larger part in the country’s economic development.
“Pakistani IT businesses export products and services to over 100 companies throughout the world,” he said, citing companies in the United States, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Australia.
Regarding the envoy’s recent visit to local IT firms, Khan told business leaders that the chamber would organise visits by other foreign diplomats to domestic sectors to inform them of Pakistan’s export potential and help boost the country’s exports.
Khan stated that the government is focusing on the promotion of the digital economy and that actions should be taken to further strengthen the IT sector in order for it to play an effective role in the transformation of Pakistan into a knowledge economy.
“If the government provides more incentives to the IT business, annual exports might reach around $10 billion in a few years,” he said.
He shared ICCI’s willingness to work with the Jordanian embassy for the development of strong business linkages between private sectors of the two countries, which would promote bilateral trade and strengthen economic relations.
