Saudi companies to invest in Pakistan’s growing IT industry

February 10, 2025 (MLN): Saudi companies, entrepreneurs, investors, and business groups are expected to invest in Pakistan’s growing IT industry.

This was said by Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Pakistan’s Federal Minister of State for Information Technology & Telecom (MoITT) while addressing the Pakistan x Saudi Business Forum 2025 as the Chief Guest.

She further stated that LEAP 2025 in Riyadh would be highly productive for the country in terms of export growth, IT industry expansion, and employment generation, according to the press release issued.

The forum was collaboratively organized by the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) and the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), the top IT bodies of Pakistan, in Riyadh on Saturday.

Sajjad Mustafa Syed, Chairman P@SHA, maintained that, despite all odds and challenges,  private-sector and the IT industry performed exceedingly well - and, achieved $348 million in IT exports in December 2024.

The pace of growth in skills development, onboarding of new hi-tech verticals, domestic expansion, and foreign direct investment (FDI) into the IT industry has been remarkable, he said.

Additionally, the large pool of young, committed IT professionals and the perseverance of IT companies have made this progress possible, P@SHA Chief added.

Muhammad Umair Nizam, Senior Vice Chairman and the Brand Chair of P@SHA, stressed that the IT industry remained positive and on course during multiple challenges encountered last year.

“We did not heed to the negative propaganda against the IT industry of Pakistan; and, not only expanded our base; but also, created more jobs and fulfilled bigger export orders successfully”, he added.

H. E. Ahmed Farooq, Ambassador of Pakistan to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), acknowledged the endeavors of P@SHA that are making a huge mark in LEAP 2025 and the important events embedded with the mega event.

“It gives the world a much-needed impression of the collective efforts of the Pakistani government and private sector aimed at projecting and positioning the country as the next big tech destination of the world”, he added.

H. E. Demaah AlYahya is the Secretary General of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), an international intergovernmental organization.

Founded in 2020 by Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia, the DCO is a multilateral organization dedicated to fostering international cooperation among key stakeholders to accelerate the growth of an inclusive and sustainable digital economy.

She also highlighted that P@SHA was awarded an observer status in DCO last year.

Abu Bakar,  CEO of PSEB, explained that the objective of taking P@SHA onboard was to have the maximum participation of IT companies in the Pakistan x Saudi Business Forum and LEAP 2025.

“Because, P@SHA, being the sole and apex trade body of the entire IT industry, has tangible connections and working relationships in all sub-sectors and verticals - across the length and breadth of Pakistan and beyond”, he added.

Sajjad Mustafa Syed stated that 425 senior, high-profile guests from the international IT fraternity attended the dinner and networking session at the Pakistan x Saudi Business Forum.

Additionally, Pakistani and Saudi government officials, diplomats, CEOs, and country directors of major IT companies worldwide were also present at the event.

Furthermore, the event welcomed large-scale importers of IT services and investors, fostering valuable business connections and opportunities.

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