Tech Desk 
Nov 10, 2024
Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States (US) Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, on Saturday visited Silicon Valley with the aim of strengthening tech collaboration between the US and Pakistan.
Alongside the Consul General of Pakistan in Los Angeles, the Ambassador engaged in high-level meetings with tech leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs, discussing ways to boost Pakistan’s growing information technology (IT) sector.
During the Annual Forum of the Organisation of Pakistani Entrepreneurs (OPEN) in Silicon Valley, Ambassador Sheikh shared Pakistan’s tech growth targets.
Export goals and competitive reforms
He highlighted a key goal to increase Pakistan’s IT and IT-enabled services (ITES) exports to $15 billion by 2029, with an ambitious $30 billion target by 2030.
He further noted Pakistan’s position as the second-largest provider of freelance talent globally, highlighting the country’s strong base of tech professionals.
Ambassador Sheikh stressed recent reforms aimed at making Pakistan a more competitive global tech player. These policy changes focus on improving tax incentives, streamlining regulations, and upgrading infrastructure.
Read more: Ambassador Rizwan Sheikh visits Googleplex, stresses Pak-USA tech community
He also highlighted opportunities in fields like artificial intelligence (AI), fintech, and e-commerce, which have the potential to transform Pakistan’s economy.
Addressing the forum, he acknowledged regional challenges but emphasised that technology, particularly in AI, could drive inclusive growth across Pakistan. His remarks pointed to Pakistan’s commitment to progress.
The Ambassador encouraged US-based investors, particularly those of Pakistani origin, to look to Pakistan as a destination for tech investment.
Ambassador Sheikh highlighted the strong foundation of the Pakistan-US relationship, urging the diasporas to play a role in Pakistan’s economic and technological growth.
