Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s President Mian Abrar Ahmad has asserted upon the need to take maximum advantage of information and communication technology to explore market access of countries around the globe. Speaking at the joint seminar organised by KCCI and Information Technology ministry’s national ICT R&D fund, he proposed to form a committee having representatives of KCCI, federal and provincial ministries of IT should develop a comprehensive portal of commerce potential in order to achieve economic independence while
exploring trade opportunities with friendly and
regional countries.
He also emphasised upon the ideal linkage between industry and academia and focused to promote entrepreneurship and encourage the youth to opt for self-employment. He also articulated that taking the advantage of ICT tools, the potential of skilled human resource in the rural areas particularly the artisans can be exposed to the international community. He informed that the Karachi chamber is making deliberations to link the academia with industry and promote small and medium entrepreneurs and the youth. He stated that with the effective usage of information and communication technology, the regional business can be brought on the screen to enhance Pak exports. He apprised that the objective of the seminar were: to promote ICT applications in business and industry of Pakistan; create awareness amongst stakeholders on importance of ICT; define framework for capacity buildings, SMEs, and entrepreneurship; add and improve ICT academic facilities in Pakistan, perform a joint commission of KCCI-national ICT R&D fund and joint efforts for promotion of ICT applications; identify ways to facilitate Pakistan’s business organisations, industries and academic institutions for expanding the usage of ICT in the traditional processes.
Sualeh Ahmed Faruqui, Secretary Information Technology Department, Government of Sindh, while speaking at the seminar commended Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry for organising a seminar on ICT, which was the need of the hour. He urged to formalise trend and underscored the need to regularly organise seminars with the interaction of federal and provincial ministry of Information Technology. He said IT Department Sindh had accorded priority to ICT and was developing a GIS portal encompassing all the potential sectors and strength of Sindh province which would bring economic boom if properly tapped.
Dr Syed Aun Abbas, Chief Executive Officer, national ICT R&D fund informed that as per the parliament decision some per cent of contribution given by telecom companies was accorded to the fund and so far more than 50 projects were funded. He agreed to cooperate and likely funding of the KCCI’s project and the Sindh I.T. Departments GIS portal project which will benefit in accordance with the specified funding mechanism. He also endorsed the formation of committee comprising of representatives from Federal & Provincial Ministries of I.T. and KCCI.
Furqan Habib Qureshi SEVP PTCL, Jahan Ara President PASHA, SA Khalique CEO PIBAS, Rehan Allahwala CEO Super Technologies, Nazir Ahmed Vaid CEO Nexsource, Nawaz Ahmed Head of R&D Greenwich University participated in the panel discussion. Zia Ahmed Khan, Vice President KCCI and Asif Bega, Chairman Special Committee on ICT KCCI also spoke on the occasion.
