Ali Hassan

The industrial sector of Pakistan can contribute significantly to the country's economic growth and global competitiveness by embracing the robotic process automation (RPA), Amir Ali, Operational Manager Honda Atlas (Pakistan) Limited, told WealthPK. Robotic process automation uses special computer programs known as "bots" to take care of repetitive tasks that follow specific rules. Pakistan has made impressive strides in using technology-based solutions, and one of these advancements is the introduction of robotic process automation (RPA), said Amir. “Robotic process automation can transform our manufacturing industry by automating different tasks in the production process. Robots can be trained to take care of repetitive jobs like entering data, managing inventory, checking quality, and handling logistics.

This lets human workers concentrate on more intricate and strategic tasks. With reduced mistakes and faster production, RPA can greatly boost productivity and output in Pakistan's industrial sector,” he said. According to a report by the Ministry of Commerce for the Fiscal Year 2022-23, transport equipment exports increased by 39.59% to $11.71 million during the (July-April) period of the Fiscal Year 23 compared to $8.39 million during the corresponding period of the last year (2022). “For any industry to succeed, it is essential to have an effective management of the supply chain. RPA can make the supply chain operations smoother by automating tasks such as tracking inventory, processing orders, and managing suppliers.

This improved efficiency can result in cost savings, happier customers, and a competitive advantage for industries in Pakistan,” Amir added. According to Statista report, the global market size of robotic and artificial intelligence (AI) is projected to exceed $563 billion by 2030. Providing great customer service is extremely important in a market where the competition is strong. RPA assists businesses in automating customer support tasks, such as inquiries, order processing, and complaint resolution. Intelligent chatbots provide prompt and accurate responses, enhancing customer satisfaction and building stronger relationships.

The International Federation of Robotics has released the “World Robotics R&D Programmes” in which it mentioned that China, Japan, the USA, South Korea, and Germany have begun increasing automation applications in the manufacturing industries. Japan’s R&D budget for 2022 increased to $930.5 million to make the country a major robotics innovation hub. The South Korean government allocated $172.2 million for developing robots. “RPA is valuable for businesses in utilizing data for decision-making. It can collect, process, and analyse large volumes of data in real-time, providing valuable insights.

By automating data-related tasks and reducing errors, RPA saves time and helps Pakistani industries make informed decisions, identify trends, and optimize operations for increased productivity and profitability,” Amir said. Implementing RPA doesn't lead to significant job losses, as it automates repetitive tasks and allows the employees to focus on more important work. RPA boosts employee motivation and skills by encouraging creativity, problem-solving, innovation, and customer relationship management. “By embracing RPA, the industrial sector of Pakistan can contribute significantly to the country's economic growth and global competitiveness.

Increased productivity, cost savings, and improved operational efficiency can attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and encourage the establishment of new industries. Moreover, with enhanced productivity, Pakistani businesses can offer competitive pricing, high-quality products, and timely deliveries, making them more attractive to international buyers,” he added. According to a State Bank report, Pakistan received USD683 million in FDI during the seven-month period (July-Jan) of FY23 as against USD1.22 billion in the corresponding period of the FY22. During this period, FDI inflows were USD1.178 billion against USD493 million outflows.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk