Boost IT sector for stronger economy, ICCI tells govt

The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) and Pakistan Computer Association (PCA) called upon the government to focus on development of information technology industry that has huge potential to stimulate economic growth and exports.

The PCA delegation led by its Chairman Munawar Iqbal visited the ICCI on Thursday.

Speaking at the occasion, Munawar Iqbal, Chairman, Pakistan Computer Association said that current tax regime were not supportive for the growth of IT sector and called upon the government to reform these tax policies to facilitate the realisation of full export potential of this important sector.

He said Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) should reduce high tax rates in IT sector that will help in its fast growth.

He said that as Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) cumbersome NOC policy for wireless networking products and PC tablets should be simplified and provides equal treatment to IT sector entrepreneurs.

He said the local IT vendors were totally ignored to favour individual traders in the government’s recent laptops schemes and government should encourage local ventures to create more jobs and increase tax revenue.

He said level-playing field should be ensured for IT sector businesspersons to unleash the untapped potential of this industry.

He said government should establish a fund to promote R&D activities in IT sector that would boost the growth of IT industry.

In his welcome address, Muzzamil Hussain Sabri, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that IT industry has played a major role in placing Pakistan on the global map and government should give high priority to this sector for development and growth.

He said special subsidies and export incentives have proved instrumental in stimulating the growth of world-wide IT sector with very positive spill-over effects for the growth of rest of the economy and government should seriously consider extending similar support to IT industry in Pakistan.