Pakistan exports IT products, services to over 100 countries

The Information Technology (IT) export market of Pakistan has expanded to over one hundred (100) countries during the last five years of the incumbent government, Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Anusha Rahman.

“Pakistan’s IT and Information Technology enabled Services (ITeS) Industry has exported software development services, and IT enabled services such as call center services to over 100 countries, since 2013,” the minister told the National Assembly in a written reply to a question.

She informed the house that top three export destinations during the period were United States, United Arab Emirates and United Kingdom, accounting for over 71 percent of the total Information and communication technology (ICT) exports.

Based on the current year’s trade in services data for the first two quarters reported by State Bank of Pakistan (PBS), other prominent ICT export destinations in descending order included, Singapore, Malaysia, Ireland, China (including Hong Kong), Saudi Arabia, Canada, Germany, Japan, Norway, Netherlands, Finland, Australian, Sweden, Indonesia, Afghanistan, Switzerland, South Korea, Denmark, Belgium, Sri Lanka, South Africa, France, Oman, Turkey, Qatar, Spain and Kuwait.

She said that the MoITT through PSEB continues to strengthen and promote IT and ITes industry Pakistan through initiatives and programmes such as Industry advocacy and policymaking, international marketing and promotion, domestic facilitation of businesses and investors’ capacity building through company certifications, IT trainings and internships and establishing IT Parks and IT-enabled office space (STPs).

At present, she added, incentives for IT and ITes industry include zero income tax on IT exports till 2019, three-year tax holiday for IT startups with no minimum tax and withholding tax.

It addition, 100 percent equity ownership has been allowed to foreign investors while 100 percent repatriation of capital and dividends are allowed, and tax holiday for venture capital funds till 2014.

She further informed the house that MoITT does not export software, however, its affiliated organization, Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) is responsible for facilitation, advocacy and promotion of the local IT and ITes Industry with an aim to boost IT and ITes exports.

APP