Pakistan offers lot of investment and joint venture opportunities for software business as large number of profit driven start-ups are pouring in the country. Dr Umar Saif founding Vice Chancellor of Information Technology University (ITU) Punjab and Chairman Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) said while delivering his keynote speech on "Digital Punjab Initiatives" in International Seminar on Business Opportunities in Punjab opened here Monday.

He said around 300 to 400 start-ups were beginning to sign overseas partnership to raise investment while during the last year, the activity generated 1000 jobs, raised US $2.5 million, collectively valued around US $17 million. The incubator Plan initiated four years back was having currently 16 start-up incubators in Pakistan, he added. Dr Saif further said that in order to enhance the productivity of the IT workforce, the Government of Punjab is establishing 40 e-Rozgaar Centres, which would empower the young graduates in technical, non-technical and creative areas, enabling them for self-employment through freelancing. PITB was actively facilitating in the automation of the government departments, managing smart monitoring, extending citizen facilitation services, supporting academia and industry, which could be further geared up through investment and collaborations, he said.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2017