Pakistani technology firms showcased innovative solutions and explored enterprise partnerships with American businesses at Pak-US Tech Connect 2026 in Chicago, the information ministry of Pakistan said on Sunday, adding that the event drew strong participation from businesses in the Midwest. The Pak-US Tech Connect 2026 tour took place in Silicon Valley, Dallas, Washington D.C. and Chicago, and it brought together technology companies, policymakers and business leaders from across the Midwest of the United States to improve commercial ties and open opportunities in the digital economy. Pakistan has been making efforts to attract investment in its information technology (IT) sector and digital infrastructure, while it highlights its growing export potential and opportunities for technology partnerships and the expansion of digital services.
Pakistan Ambassador to the United States Rizwan Saeed Sheikh opened the conference in Chicago, which highlighted the potential for closer technology cooperation between the two countries and the opportunity to connect the growing technology capabilities of Pakistan with the needs of American businesses through sustained and mutually beneficial partnerships. Drawing attention to the youthful population of Pakistan, the ambassador encouraged American technology companies to improve their profitability by choosing low cost and high quality human capital from the country. Panel discussions examined how Pakistani technology companies can build and scale enterprise partnerships across the United States, understand the buying behaviour of the American middle market and develop effective strategies for entering the market.
The conference was co-hosted by the Pakistani embassy, Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) and the Organization of Pakistani Entrepreneurs (OPEN) Global. Presentations by Pakistani technology companies showcased their capabilities and offerings for American businesses, and the participating firms included Strategic Systems International, 10Pearls, Abacus, Systems Limited, Nextbridge, Addo AI, Excellence Delivered, Folio3 and TMC. Illinois State Representative Justin Slaughter and State Senator Laura Murphy addressed the conference, and Daniel Bellefleur, Vice President for Foreign Direct Investment at the Illinois Economic Development Corporation, spoke about the economic development perspective of the state. PSEB Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Faisal Jeddy described the IT landscape of Pakistan, pointing to its skilled professionals, competitive costs and growing capacity to deliver advanced technology solutions.
Networking sessions allowed companies from the Midwest and the visiting delegation to discuss their business needs, identify potential partners and explore follow up engagements, according to the ministry. A session on moving beyond outsourcing looked at what enterprise buyers and investors in the United States seek in Pakistani technology companies. The event comes after technology exports of Pakistan reached a record $4.6 billion in the fiscal year that ended in June 2026, an increase of 21 percent from the previous year, according to Information Technology Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, who gave the figure in July, and the government has set ambitious targets to expand the sector while seeking digital partnerships with various countries.
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