Raza Khan

Industrial sector of Pakistan can boost its productivity and exports by using the latest information technology (IT) solutions, said Umair Azam, Founder and CEO of Integration Xperts. “Large Scale Manufacturing sector in Pakistan is facing challenges including outdated technology, low productivity, insufficient resources, and lack of research and development,” Azam told WealthPK.

He maintained that the use of IT can help address all these challenges faced by the industry, including low productivity and quality issue. Azam informed that IT can help the industry manage the entire process, from sourcing raw materials to delivering finished goods to the customers. “The use of IT helps in managing the business cost and improving efficiency,” Azam added.

In a rapidly evolving world, IT has taken centre stage in everyday life, affecting work, family and social lives. “While we have already been using IT at our workplaces for a few decades, we have become heavily dependent on our computers and IT,” he added. Azam said this shift towards IT has expanded the industry exponentially over the last few years, providing opportunities for developing business and industry. He said that technology can be beneficial to manufacturers searching for suitable international markets.

“IT can help exporters meet the demands of their customers in a timely and cost-effective manner,” he added.He said the use of IT in industrial production and exports would help the manufacturers in Pakistan to stay competitive and relevant in the global market. He said that IT can also help in maintaining quality control measures to ensure the products meet international standards.

“The use of various sensors to monitor the production process in real time and using data analysis to identify patterns and trends can indicate potential quality issues,” Azam maintained. Moreover, IT can enable manufacturers to sell their products directly to international customers using e-commerce, bypassing traditional distribution channels and reducing costs,” he said.

He added that e-commerce platforms can also provide a suitable platform for companies to sense the market trends, demand and preferences. “E-commerce can help the industry take the right decisions based on actual knowledge,” he maintained. The use of IT also helps in improving supply chain management, enhancing market visibility, and streamlining productions and operations with improved sales and marketing efforts, he added.

He said that IT can also help in designing and branding, especially in the textile sector. “Textile and garments sector of Pakistan can benefit from IT in true manner being innovative,” he said. Azam said that the industry can also enhance its value-addition by using the IT solutions that are already being used in other countries. “The use of artificial intelligence can improve the process of yarn production and also reduce deficiencies in standards,” he added.

According to the World Economic Forum (WEF) research, economies with a young population having good IT skills are progressing steadily and increasing their income per capita. IT has also created more job opportunities for trained workforce, not only in the countries they reside in, but also in remote work, helping them earn foreign exchange. According to a report published by the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), lack of value-addition, innovation, and competitiveness, and low productivity of the industrial sector are major reasons for exports stagnation. IT solutions can help in settling these challenges.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk