Pakistan- A Land Of Opportunities
“According to PSEB, the Pakistani IT industry is worth over $2.8 billion, including annual exports exceeding $1.4 billion, Pakistan is eyeing to increase the size of this sector to over US$ 11 billion by 2011.”
Various sectors are modernising their operations with latest and innovative software technology available, in order to provide top quality services to their customers. For a strong and rising market we need excellent technology, and in order to make Pakistan’s presence in the international market top quality production is required.
“Pakistan has been recognized by the global community as ‘Market Leaders and Challengers’ and has been placed in the First Category countries in 2007.”
Pakistan’s IT sector is a place to watch. With continuous growth and innovation it has been able to maintain this status in the international arena, each passing year. There are around 1161 IT companies registered with PSEB. Pakistan’s unregistered companies are almost exactly the same size, if not bigger than the registered one. And there are more than 15,000 IT professionals (software development/call centers etc.) engaged in export oriented activities. The IT sector is progressing at a rate of 50 per cent annually with many companies winning huge contracts from domestic as well as international market.
Pakistan’s software sector is increasing at a very fast pace. We need to recognize the potential ability of the talent we have. Pakistan supersedes its neighboring countries in this respect
“The salaries of IT professionals in Pakistan are approximately 30% lower than those in India, while telecommunication costs are also low as compared to any other offshore locations, which make Pakistan an attractive outsourcing destination.”
Significant development requires healthy and supportive environment providing 100% collaboration among the Software companies. And the best way to encourage collaboration is to recognize the growing potential of the new and innovative companies. Thus, complete confidence and strong bond is necessary among the government and the private sector.
Nourishing the development of the Software Industry in the country, Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), has been working since 1995. Developing and establishing opportunities PSEB has been successful in the initiative it took. Along with PSEB there are many other Pakistani-American organizations have been fueling this sector. The main reason being that the local talent available here knows the demands of international software market. And at the same time the international market recognizes the talent and thus rewards it by investing in it and providing it with equal opportunities.
Despite the global recession Pakistan’s Software Sector has been growing at a very smooth rate. There are thousands of companies outsourcing opportunities here. Along with this many Pakistanis are returning to their motherland in order to utilize their skills for building successful careers and businesses in cutting edge technologies, and at the same time providing employment to thousands. This has only been possible due to the collaborative effort of the government with the IT Industry, and this collaboration has only been possible due PSEB and P@SHA, which have been working day and night for the advancement of the IT Industry.
The comprehensive IT plan as devised by the government of Pakistan is being implemented successfully. There are many software companies who have been working in collaboration under PSEB, for example FSD Solutions achieved Gold Certified status in Microsoft’s Partner Program after successfully demonstrating competencies in mobility solutions and ISV/software solutions. Systems Limited has been providing effective computing strategies and solutions to private and government organizations for over 30 years, and is currently playing a major role in some of the largest IT projects inside the country. Gillani Inc. with its headquarters in USA is repaying the country by enhancing business processes through their active participation. Similarly, Microsoft Pakistan has been arranging Imagine Cup Competition in Pakistan since 2004. Encouraging Pakistan’s youth and upcoming talent Imagine cup has earned our students awards at an international level, providing opportunities to them and presenting the Pakistani talent at a global level. AbacusConsulting is the largest management consultancy firm in Pakistan. It has provided employment to about 1800 people. It is the first SAP Business One Silver Partner in Pakistan. SAP has awarded this distinction in recognition of AbacusConsulting outstanding efforts and success in providing SAP Business One services in the country, including over 30 successful implementations. On the other hand Inbox is the only IT Company in Pakistan to have achieved the Superbrands Award 2008/2009 for its marketing excellence.
“The company has previously received Brands of the Year award 2008; Most Outstanding Achievement and Highest Growing Partner of IBM; Top Revenue Generating partner of Microsoft Pakistan; Highest Sales award by Intel; Partner of the year 2008 by Acer; Top PC Selling brand by IDC Asia, and numerous others.” PSEB
P@SHA has been organizing many conferences, workshops and seminars in order to promote develop and expand the market all over the country through which they provide solutions. P@asha organizes a Career Expo in order to guide the students for their future career opportunities; this particular program is sponsored by PixSense, Microsoft and Intel. Each year various companies take part in this particular event providing job opportunities and career counseling to a number of students. A.T. Kearney’s 2009 Global Services Location Index ranks Pakistan among the top 20 outsourcing destinations across the world. According to the P@SHA Industry Report 2008, conducted by UK-based Research & Consulting firm Technomics, lists the top 5 markets which the Pakistani IT and ITES companies are presently serving. These are:
- United States
- Far East
- United Kingdom
- Rest of Europe
- Middle East
With new contracts being signed between Companies, both at local and international level, every passing minute the local IT Industry is continuously broadening, developing and enhancing business transactions all across the globe. If development continues in the same way, then Pakistan could possibly be the leader of International software market within a short period of time.