Govt to set up '5,000 joint e-working centres' to facilitate freelancers

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunications Dr Umar Saif has announced that the government is going to set up “5,000 joint e-working centres” for freelancers.

The minister said that interest-free loans to establish the “joint E-Working Centres” and to facilitate freelancers will be issued resulting in millions of employment opportunities in the country.

According to a press release issued by the ministry on Thursday, Dr Saif said that steps are being taken to attract global investors in the proposed venture capital for startups, adding that he will also visit Saudi Arabia soon.

He said that there was a positive discussion with the Caretaker Finance Minister Dr Shamshad Akhtar on a 5-point agenda related to the IT Sector.

The issue of dollar retention in the IT industry was discussed in detail. The ministry believes that the move will not only transfer overseas IT accounts to Pakistan and restore investor confidence but also accelerate the flow of dollars in the country and immediately increase IT export volume.

Separately, Dr Saif has said that the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) should redefine its role to assist IT companies in getting international clients and business and to brand Pakistan in the global market.

He said this while presiding over the 58th meeting of the PSEB.

“Pakistan has a unique position in terms of its IT professionals and time zone, it is very important to introduce its IT/ITeS products to the world in the required manners. the PSEB must collaborate with Pakistan trade and commerce missions in Pakistani embassies the world over to help grow the exports of Pakistani IT companies,” observed Dr Saif.

The minister directed the PSEB, that all necessary steps should be expedited for the training of 200,000 IT professionals to add $5 Billion in IT Export. The meeting also discussed matters related to the IT industry & increasing investment in the country.