Pakistan-UK Tech Initiative Launched in the UK
London: A commitment to promote greater links and economic growth between the UK and Pakistan’s tech sectors launched in the UK Parliament on Wednesday in London.
The organisers’, Tech London Advocates Pakistan (TLA), a collection of tech experts and innovators, brought together thought leaders, business and investors to foster greater collaboration, innovation and sharing of technical knowledge and best practice with an ambition to forge stronger links between the UK and Pakistan’s tech sectors.
Attending the launch was Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the UK, Mohammad Nafees Zakaria, alongside the UK’s Deputy High Commissioner to Karachi and UK Trade Director to Pakistan Elin Burns.
Pakistan High Commissioner to the UK, Mohammad Nafees Zakaria said: “Pakistan’s IT sector is growing exponentially. Experts expect it to grow a further 100% in the coming years. New York Times called Pakistan the next software hub. Upwork.com, which has 26 million registered users, reported that Pakistanis accounted for the fifth largest number of software freelancers.
“Digital Pakistan Policy include fiscal proposals such as extension of zero rated income tax regime on IT and IT enabled Services exports to 2030. Other fiscal measures include Special Economic Zones (SEZs) for the IT sector to encourage the investment in IT-ready physical infrastructure in the country.”
Speaking at the event, Deputy High Commissioner to Karachi and UK Trade Director Elin Burns said: “Technology businesses are at the heart of the UK economy and are playing an important role in driving growth across the country, from financial services and high-value manufacturing to retail and agriculture.
“London is ranked the second most connected place globally for tech. With the UK’s expertise and the untapped potential of Pakistan’s burgeoning sector, tech is a potentially high growth area for further collaboration, creating jobs and prosperity for both our countries.
Naheed Afzal, Chair of Tech London Advocates Pakistan, said: “We are witnessing a new and emerging Pakistan. One that is young, vibrant and enterprising. This initiative creates a platform for tech businesses and entrepreneurs to connect, collaborate and share positive ideas and opportunities to the benefit of both the UK and Pakistan, countries which share such close links.
The initiative will seek to create a Pakistan-UK tech corridor, providing a gateway for greater connectivity between the two countries.
