Pakistan’s information technology sector has the largest overall trade surplus.
The only sector in Pakistan with a trade surplus of 77% is information technology, according to famous economist Faiz Ul Haq. This sector holds the key to more than halving Pakistan’s current account deficit (CAD) from FY23’s estimated $10–12 billion to $5 billion by FY26.
However, he continued, the government removed the previously announced tax break for the IT sector until 2025 and replaced it with a tax credit programme, which, according to estimates from the ministry of information technology & telecommunications, resulted in a lost opportunity in IT exports of up to $500 million in FY22 alone (MoITT).
It is important to note that in just two years, from $1.4 billion in FY20 to $2.62 billion in FY22, IT exports experienced an export growth of a staggering 47 percent in FY21 and 24 percent in FY22.
Faiz Ul Haq said that the government ought to make an export finance scheme (EFS) specifically for information technology companies available, with an EFS rate for IT exporters of 8 to 9 percent and a discount of 600 to 700 basis points (bps) from the policy rate. This would allow IT companies to not only hit their $3.5 billion export goal for FY23, but also, in the long run, to experience exponential growth in IT exports from FY24 through FY30. By FY30, IT exports could bring in much to $15 billion annually due to this exponential development.
He emphasised that if the government decides to encourage IT businesses and freelancers and release the earnings of the industry from the onerous regulation of SBP & FBR, the gaming industry alone in Pakistan may generate $400 million annually. They should be given the freedom to use official banking channels to transfer money back, keep it offshore, or reinvest it in their IT firms in accordance with the challenges and conveniences of exponential business growth.
He continued that at least half of their capital should be released in this way.
