Pakistan regions' most suitable market for digital startups, foreign investment: PM
Leading investors in IT sector call on the Prime Minister
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday highlighting his government's efforts to align Pakistan with global wave of digital transformation, said that the country's economy was the most suitable market in the region for digital startups and foreign investment.
The prime minister, in a meeting with Secretary-General of Digital Cooperation Organization Deemah Al Yahya here, said that the gathering of over a thousand leading technology investors and policymakers from around the world to attend Pakistan’s first ‘Digital Foreign Direct Investment Forum 2025,’ being held here on April 29-30, was a testament to the country's growing influence in the digital sector within the region, according to a PM Office press release.
Calling Pakistan's young workforce the “most valuable asset," he said that it was among his government's priorities to train them and equip them with digital skills.
The prime minister said that the government’s business-friendly policies and the facilities provided to investors were meant to attract capital and ensure the transfer of advanced technology into the country.
He told the DCO secretary-general that the government was introducing digital technology and investment projects specifically for the youth, to channel their energies in the right direction and enable them to play a vital role in the economy.
“Digital transformation is no longer an ordinary trend, but a revolution that is reshaping economies,” he remarked.
Prime Minister Shehbaz said that the Forum to attract foreign direct investment in the digital sector and international participation evidenced Pakistan's potential to play a leading role in the global digital economy.
The DCO secretary-general thanked Pakistan for hosting the first forum on foreign direct investment in the digital sector and called her participation in the inaugural session a great honor.
The meeting was also attended by Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Prime Minister's Advisor Syed Tauqir Shah, and other senior officials.
Meanwhile, Executives of leading Information Technology companies, who are participating in Pakistan’s first ‘Digital Foreign Direct Investment Forum 2025,’ being held on 29-30 April, called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.
Welcoming all the distinguished investors and business leaders to Islamabad, the Prime Minister said Pakistan stands on the threshold of a transformative leap in its digital economy. He welcomed the announcement of over US$700 million investment pledges during the opening session of the forum and expressed deep appreciation for their confidence in Pakistan’s potential.
The Prime Minister highlighted Pakistan’s vision of becoming a regional hub for technology, finance, and innovation. He briefed the visiting delegates about the ongoing regulatory reforms, fiscal incentives, and digital infrastructure investments. The Prime Minister also informed the delegates about the Government's ongoing efforts for training of youth as well as digitization of the economy. He also assured full support to investors and reaffirmed commitment to building long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships with each of them.
The Prime Minister during his interaction with the global IT executives conveyed Government of Pakistan’s strong desire to collaborate with them on AI and data science education initiatives to prepare Pakistani youth for future technology-driven jobs.
Those who called on the Prime Minister included Mr. Jabbar Rahim Khan of Russoft, who announced to invest US$ 500 million, Mr. Taha Naseem and Mr. Ahsan Jamil of sAi Venture Capital who announced US$100 million investment, Mr. Fernando Morillo and Mr. Muhammad Hamayun Sajjad of Mashreq Bank who announced US$ 30 million investment, and Mr. Belal Kemal Faruki of Mindhyve.ai for US$ 22 million investment.
Minister for Information Technology & Telecom Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja and senior government officials also attended the meeting.
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