Caretaker Federal Minister of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MOITT), Dr. Umar Saif, has asserted Pakistan’s emergence as the regional digital hub, fueled by 30,000 IT companies and over 75,000 IT graduates annually. Addressing the Pak-Qatar IT Conference in Doha, he urged Pakistani IT firms to tap into the wealth of knowledge workers in Qatar for market establishment.
The inaugural Pakistan-Qatar IT Conference, held in Doha on December 3, 2023, witnessed active participation from the IT delegation led by the Special Investment Facilitation Center (SIFC) and Caretaker Minister Umar Saif. The collaborative effort involved entities such as the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), Pakistan Software Houses Association (PASHA), and the Qatar IT industry, with support from the Qatar Financial Centre and the Pakistan Embassy.
Featuring 30 leading IT companies from Pakistan, the conference covered areas like AI, cybersecurity, and digital transformation. Keynote speakers included Dr. Umar Saif, Yousaf Mohammed Al-Jaida (CEO, Qatar Financial Centre), Ambassador Muhemmed Aejaz, and Zohaib Khan (Chairman, PASHA), emphasizing increased cooperation in IT between Pakistan and Qatar.
Aside from conference sessions, the event facilitated business-to-business meetings, fostering networking and collaboration. Dr. Umar Saif highlighted Pakistan’s IT potential, including a pool of skilled professionals, a strong presence in the global freelance market, and a thriving startup ecosystem.
The Pakistani IT delegation’s stay in Qatar until December 5 focuses on government-to-government meetings, aiming to strengthen bilateral ties and explore investment opportunities. The conference received acclaim, with several Pakistani businesses expressing interest in registering in Qatar, marking a significant stride in tech collaboration.
