January 20, 2002	Sunday	Ziqa’ad 5, 1422

LAHORE, Jan 19: Federal Bureau of Statistics (FBS) will finalize the report of the census of software industry by March next.

“The report based on the survey of 800 units engaged in different fields of IT industry, will depict the strengths and weaknesses of this rapidly growing industry with special focus on the nature of equipment being used and skill level of manpower besides the level of exports,” Federal Secretary Statistics Division, Abu Shamim Arif said here on Saturday.

Speaking at a day-long workshop on ‘Statistical Activities in Pakistan’ at Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) here, he said that the report would also help develop policies to promote the exports of software industry, which were presently very little as compared to those of other countries.

He said efforts were also being made to restructure the FBS in organizational and performance terms especially for the enhancement of credibility, authenticity and international compatibility of the data collected through surveys.

“A committee headed by me has started work on the re- structuring of the bureau,” Abu Shamim Arif said.

He said in the first instance, an harmonized international code system would be launched to make the FBS data internationally decipherable.—APP