Karachi: Experts associated with the tech industry say that Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar are rapidly moving towards becoming a center of digital technology, Pakistan should take advantage of these opportunities.
The UAE is spending 1.5 percent of its GDP, Qatar 0.7 percent and Saudi Arabia 0.5 percent on research and development.
Tech professional and Project Director of NIC Karachi, Syed Azfar Hussain, said that Pakistani technology companies have a golden opportunity to work in the UAE and Saudi Arabia as digital transformation is changing the shape of industries there.
To take advantage of these opportunities, Pakistani companies will have to form strategic partnerships, offer cost-effective solutions, and align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
Pakistan’s tech industry has a huge opportunity to grow by developing products that can find a place in local and global markets. Instead of just offering services, companies should focus on creating tech products in areas such as fintech, cybersecurity, industrial automation and AI.
He said that by investing in research, user-friendly design, and data-driven strategies, Pakistan can move beyond outsourcing and become a hub for advanced technology, opening doors to new markets and creating investment opportunities around the world.
Saad Shah, an IT exporter in the Middle East, said that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region is an emerging market for Pakistani IT companies, especially two countries, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are very attractive markets and there are great opportunities here.
He said that Pakistani IT companies should form joint ventures according to their strengths to provide end-to-end solutions and multiple services under a one-window solution to major industries and various business tycoons in the UAE.
