Govt awards Rs825 million IT companies for best role in exports

The IT industry, which plays a pivotal role in the country’s economy, deserves maximum incentives, facilities and rewards. The IT companies are strengthening the country’s economy by earning huge foreign exchange in return for the services of digital talent of Pakistani worldwide

An estimated 3,500 interns will be placed in the IT &ITeS exporters that will be a part of the Co-Opt program and Rs. 50,000 per intern will be paid to every participant

Caretaker Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunications (MoITT) Dr Umar Saif distributed Rs 825 million in cash prizes to the companies playing a significant role in IT as well as in promoting the IT enable Services exports.

The prize distribution ceremony was organized by The Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), an offshoot of the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication, in Lahore. Additional Secretary IT & Chief Executive Officer PSEB Ms Ayesha HumairaMoriani, Member IT Syed Junaid Imam, Chairman IT Association (P@SHA) Muhammad Zohaib Khan, other officials from MoITT and a large number of eminent personalities from the IT industry were also present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion Federal Minster Dr Umar Said said that the IT industry, which plays a pivotal role in the country’s economy, deserves maximum incentives, facilities and rewards. These companies are strengthening the country’s economy by earning huge foreign exchange in return for the services of digital talent of Pakistani worldwide. If the IT sector continues to perform the way it is doing at present hopefully, the target of 10 billion dollars from IT exports will be achieved soon.

Dr Umar Saif further said that out of the allocated fund of Rs one billion, Rs 825 million had been distributed to 550 companies for showing excellent performance. For this purpose, six categories have been made, the first top 100 companies have been awarded Rs 2.5 million, the second 100 companies Rs 2 million, the third 100 companies Rs 1.5 million, the fourth 100 companies Rs 1.25 million, the fifth 100 companies Rs 750,000 and the sixth and last category 50 companies have been awarded Rs 500,000 each. Out of these 550 companies, the top 10 companies have been awarded cash prizes as well as trophies for outstanding performance.

Dr Umar Saif said that out of Rs 1 billion, the remaining Rs 175 million would be given to companies employing trained IT skilled people. For this purpose, a particularly innovative endeavour is the Industry Co-Opt Program, developed in collaboration with HEC and P@SHA. This program aims to provide apprenticeship opportunities to IT students. To incentivize IT &ITeS exporters to participate in and support the Co-Opt program in placing the final year students of bachelor’s degree in computer sciences and related computing technology fields as interns. An estimated 3,500 interns will be placed in the IT &ITeS exporters that will be a part of the Co-Opt program and Rs. 50,000 per intern will be paid to every participant. This process will not only highlight the capabilities of the IT-skilled youths, but the industry will also be able to get talented youths according to their need and market demand, while on the other hand, cash prizes will cause a significant increase in the country’s IT exports by creating an atmosphere of competition among IT companies.

Earlier in her welcome address, Additional Secretary IT and Chief Executive PSEB Ms Ayesha HumairaMoriani said that six categories were created in terms of IT consultancy services, IT products and solutions, call centres, gaming and animation, women entrepreneurs, and fast-growing companies. “The IT &ITeS Export Awards 2024 underscored Pakistan’s commitment to fostering innovation, driving economic growth, and positioning itself as a key player in the digital economy,” she added.

It is worth mentioning here that Diverse Winners Across IT Fields: 3 companies from each awarded the Trophy.

• Systems Limited: Recognized as the top exporter of excellence in, BPO Services, and also for IT Consultancy Services
• i2c Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd: Triumphed in the IT products and solutions category.
• Mindbridge (Pvt) Ltd: Awarded the platinum award for the Call Center Services category.
• Quixel Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd: Honored for achievements in Gaming and Animation.
• ABSLabs (Pvt) Ltd: Awarded for the Fastest Export Growth.

CEO of Abacus Consulting Technology Limited: Celebrated as a trailblazing woman entrepreneur in the tech industry.