By Abdul Wajid Khan

 

ISLAMABAD, Oct. 26 (INP-WealthPK) – Federal Secretary Information Technology and Telecom Dr. Muhammad Sohail Rajput says the establishment of the new joint working group (JWG) under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will usher in a new era of cooperation in IT between the two countries.

Talking to the reporter, he said the project would boost Pakistan’s IT industry and exports and enhance the knowledge, experience, and skills of IT professionals. He said work on the research-based practical projects of Information Technology Zones under the new JWG was underway, and the task would be accomplished in one month. “A memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in IT industry between Pakistan and China has already been signed. Now, we’ll identify all practical and research-based projects which are subject to the approval of the twogovernments and can easily proceed", he added. “Addition of a new JWG will boost our IT industry and provide a good opportunity to our professionals to learn from the Chinese experience. It will also create jobs for us. Joint coordination in IT-related research and technical projects will produce massive economic benefits, promote the country’s knowledge-driven economy and enhance the experience of our IT professionals and workers. Chinese are very experienced in the field of IT, and their experience will also benefit our industry and people", he added. Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar chaired a review meeting of the working groups on information technology cooperation at the 10th JCC of CPEC in Islamabad last Friday. At the meeting, the sectors related to the newly formed JWG were discussed in detail. These sectors included broadband connectivity, technology parks/ IT parks, cyber security, software, and hardware development. Asad directed the IT Ministry to submit concept notes on these sectors to his ministry within 30 days so that the fast-moving strategic initiatives could be discussed in the upcoming JWG. Federal Minister for Information Technology Aminul Haq said there was also a need to launch new technical assistance programs for Pakistan to meet the professional requirements of the growing IT industry in the country. Asad said IT was the future of Pakistan and rapid growth had been witnessed in the last one or two years. According to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan, Pakistan's IT software exports have increased by almost 47% from July-May in the fiscal year 2020-21. Ning Jizhe, deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission of China, said both countries will give a boost to the high-quality development under CPEC and make more efforts to enhance bilateral cooperation in science and technology. The 10th meeting of the JCC on CPEC was held on 23rd September through a video conference in which an MOU for the establishment of a Joint Working Group (JWG) on the information technology industry was signed by both sides. The meeting was co-chaired by Asad Umar and Ning Jizhe.